H16.139
BillablePhotokeratitis, unspecified eye
This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).
What This Code Means
Photokeratitis is a painful eye condition caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, such as from welding, tanning beds, or reflected sunlight off snow. The cornea becomes temporarily inflamed and damaged, similar to a sunburn of the eye.
Coding Tips
- •Use H16.139 only when the affected eye is not specified; if documentation indicates right eye use H16.131, left eye use H16.132, or bilateral use H16.133
- •Photokeratitis is typically acute and self-limiting; document the cause of UV exposure (welding, snow reflection, tanning bed, etc.) in the medical record to support medical necessity and potentially link to an external cause code (W89 series)
Code Hierarchy
└H16Keratitis└H16.1Other and unspecified superficial keratitis without conjunctivitis└H16.13Photokeratitis└H16.139Photokeratitis, unspecified eye
└H16.139Photokeratitis, unspecified eye