Glaucomatous optic atrophy, left eye

This code signifies damage to the optic nerve in the left eye due to glaucoma, resulting in characteristic changes to the optic disc and visual field defects. It represents a late-stage complication of glaucoma where the nerve fibers responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain have atrophied.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states glaucomatous optic atrophy affecting the left eye. This typically occurs in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of glaucoma who exhibit signs of optic nerve damage, such as cupping of the optic disc and corresponding visual field loss.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "glaucomatous" optic atrophy to differentiate from other causes of optic nerve damage.
• Verify laterality; this code is specific to the left eye.
• Code the underlying type of glaucoma (e.g., primary open-angle glaucoma) as a primary diagnosis, with H47.232 as a secondary diagnosis to indicate the complication.