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  2. ICD-10-CM Codes List
  3. H00–H59
  4. H30-H36
  5. Retinal disorders in diseases classified elsewhere (H36)

Retinal disorders in diseases classified elsewhere (H36)

The ICD-10 code section H36 covers retinal disorders associated with diseases classified elsewhere, primarily capturing retinal complications linked to systemic conditions rather than primary eye diseases.

This section includes codes for specific retinal changes seen in sickle-cell disease, distinguishing between nonproliferative (H36.81–H36.819) and proliferative sickle-cell retinopathy (H36.82–H36.829), and specifying laterality (right, left, bilateral, or unspecified eye). Terms like “sickle cell retinopathy” and “nonproliferative sickle cell retinopathy” correspond specifically to these codes, helping coders identify the correct code when these common synonyms appear in clinical documentation. Additionally, H36.89 captures other retinal disorders occurring as complications of systemic diseases, such as retinal dystrophies related to metabolic or infectious diseases, including paraneoplastic retinopathy, Epstein-Barr virus retinal infection, and HIV-associated retinopathy. This code section aids clinicians and coders in documenting retinal abnormalities specifically linked to systemic illnesses rather than standalone eye conditions, ensuring accurate classification of retinal manifestations secondary to other disease processes.

Instructional Notations

Code First

Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.

  • underlying disease, such as:
  • lipid storage disorders E75
  • sickle-cell disorders D57

Type 1 Excludes

A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.