Sympathetic uveitis, bilateral

This code describes inflammation of the uvea (the middle layer of the eye, including the iris, ciliary body, and choroid) in both eyes, occurring as a delayed autoimmune response to penetrating trauma or surgery in the other eye. It is a rare but severe form of bilateral granulomatous panuveitis.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates sympathetic uveitis affecting both eyes, typically following a significant ocular injury or intraocular surgery to one eye. The diagnosis should be confirmed by an ophthalmologist, noting the characteristic bilateral inflammation.

• Ensure documentation specifies bilateral involvement; otherwise, a unilateral code may be more appropriate.
• Always sequence the code for the underlying ocular trauma or surgical complication that led to the sympathetic uveitis first, if still active.
• Distinguish from other forms of bilateral uveitis (e.g., infectious, autoimmune) that are not triggered by trauma to the contralateral eye.