Avulsion of eye

This code describes the complete traumatic separation of the eyeball from its socket, often accompanied by rupture of the optic nerve and extraocular muscles. It represents a severe ocular injury resulting in permanent blindness and significant cosmetic disfigurement.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a complete avulsion or enucleation of the eye due to trauma. This typically occurs in severe blunt or penetrating injuries to the orbit. Supporting documentation would include emergency department reports, ophthalmology consultations, and surgical notes detailing the traumatic loss of the globe.

• Differentiate from enucleation performed surgically for non-traumatic reasons (e.g., tumor, painful blind eye), which would use a procedure code.
• Always code any associated open wounds of the orbit or eyelids.
• Consider external cause of injury codes (E-codes) to fully describe the circumstances of the trauma.