Understanding Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma, also known as an Acute Angle-Closure Attack or Glaucoma Crisis, is crucial for accurate clinical documentation and medical coding. This page provides information on diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment of Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma, supporting healthcare professionals in proper coding and documentation for optimal patient care. Learn about Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma diagnosis codes, clinical findings, and best practices for healthcare providers.
Also known as
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Covers acute angle-closure with or without pupillary block.
Glaucoma
Includes all types of glaucoma, primary or secondary.
Diseases of the eye and adnexa
Encompasses various eye conditions, including glaucoma.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the angle-closure glaucoma acute?
Yes
Is it primary?
No
Do NOT code as acute angle-closure glaucoma. Consider other glaucoma codes (e.g., chronic angle-closure).
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Severe, rapid IOP increase causing eye pain, vision loss. |
| IOP elevation damages optic nerve, causing gradual vision loss. |
| Narrowed drainage angle increases risk of angle closure glaucoma. |
Missing or incorrect laterality (right, left, bilateral) for Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma can impact reimbursement and data accuracy.
Miscoding primary versus secondary Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma based on underlying causes affects severity and treatment coding.
Confusing acute with chronic angle-closure glaucoma leads to inaccurate coding, impacting quality reporting and resource allocation.
Q: How do I differentiate acute angle-closure glaucoma from other causes of acute red eye in a primary care setting?
A: Differentiating acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG) from other acute red eye causes like conjunctivitis or uveitis requires careful assessment. In AACG, patients typically present with sudden onset severe eye pain, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting, often accompanied by a mid-dilated, non-reactive pupil and a hazy cornea. Unlike conjunctivitis, there is usually no significant discharge. While uveitis can also cause pain and redness, it usually presents with a smaller pupil and photophobia. Accurate diagnosis requires measuring intraocular pressure (IOP), which is markedly elevated in AACG. A shallow anterior chamber depth on slit-lamp examination further supports the diagnosis. Prompt ophthalmological referral is crucial to prevent permanent vision loss. Explore how integrating tonometry into your primary care practice can improve early AACG detection and management.
Q: What are the best initial emergency management steps for suspected acute angle-closure glaucoma before ophthalmology consultation?
A: Suspected acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG) demands immediate action to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) before ophthalmology consultation. Initial management involves topical IOP-lowering medications like timolol maleate 0.5%, pilocarpine 1-2%, and apraclonidine 1%. Systemic medications, such as acetazolamide (oral or intravenous), can also be initiated to decrease aqueous humor production. Consider implementing a standardized protocol for suspected AACG in your emergency department, ensuring prompt treatment initiation and timely specialist referral. Learn more about the evidence-based guidelines for emergency management of AACG.
Patient presents with acute onset of severe eye pain, blurred vision, and halos around lights in the right eye, consistent with an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack. Symptoms began approximately two hours prior to presentation and are accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Ocular examination reveals conjunctival injection, a cloudy cornea, a mid-dilated, non-reactive pupil, and elevated intraocular pressure measured at 48 mmHg. The left eye shows no acute changes, with intraocular pressure of 18 mmHg. Gonioscopy confirms narrow angles in both eyes. The patient denies any prior history of glaucoma or eye trauma. Differential diagnoses include acute iritis and corneal ulcer, but the clinical presentation strongly favors acute angle-closure glaucoma. Initial treatment includes topical timolol, brimonidine, and pilocarpine, along with oral acetazolamide to lower intraocular pressure. The patient will be closely monitored for response to therapy and considered for laser peripheral iridotomy once the intraocular pressure is adequately controlled. This acute angle-closure glaucoma crisis requires urgent ophthalmologic consultation, which has been arranged. Diagnosis codes include H40.2031 for right eye, acute angle-closure glaucoma. The patient's symptoms, exam findings, and treatment plan were thoroughly explained, and all questions were answered. Follow-up appointment scheduled in 24 hours.