H16.299

What This Code Means

This code describes inflammation of both the cornea and conjunctiva (the clear membranes covering the eye and inner eyelid) that doesn't fit into other specific categories, and the affected eye is not specified. It's used when the exact type of keratoconjunctivitis cannot be determined or documented.

Coding Tips

• •Use this unspecified code only when the documentation does not specify which eye is affected (right, left, or bilateral); if the eye is documented, use the more specific laterality codes H16.291 (right eye) or H16.292 (left eye)
• •Review the medical record to determine if a more specific type of keratoconjunctivitis is documented (such as sicca, exposure-related, or infectious), as using a more specific code is preferred over the unspecified code