Facebook tracking pixel
H57.12
ICD-10-CM
Left Eye Pain

Left eye pain diagnosis, causes, and treatment explored. Understanding left eye pain ICD-10 codes, medical billing, and clinical documentation best practices. Find information on left orbital pain, left periorbital pain, foreign body sensation, photophobia, blurred vision, and other related symptoms. Learn about common diagnoses associated with left eye pain including corneal abrasion, uveitis, optic neuritis, and sinus infection. This resource provides valuable information for healthcare professionals, coders, and patients seeking to understand left eye pain.

Also known as

Ocular Pain OS
Left Ocular Discomfort

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Discomfort or pain in the left eye, ranging from mild to severe.
  • Clinical Signs : Redness, tearing, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, foreign body sensation.
  • Common Settings : Corneal abrasion, dry eye, uveitis, migraine, sinus infection.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC H57.12 Coding
H57.1

Pain in eye and adnexa

Covers pain localized to the eye and its surrounding structures.

H00-H59

Diseases of the eye and adnexa

Encompasses various eye conditions, some of which may cause pain.

R52

Pain, unspecified

A general code for pain when a more specific eye-related code isn't applicable.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the pain related to a foreign body?

  • Yes

    Code H11.121, Foreign body on external eye, left eye

  • No

    Is the pain due to trauma/injury?

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Left eye pain onset, duration, character
  • Location, radiation of left eye pain
  • Aggravating and relieving factors
  • Associated symptoms (photophobia, vision changes)
  • Pertinent negatives (trauma, discharge)

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Laterality

    Coding left eye pain without specifying laterality can lead to claim rejection or inaccurate data reporting. Use ICD-10 codes like H57.11 for proper laterality documentation.

  • Symptom vs. Diagnosis

    Coding only pain without the underlying diagnosis may lead to underpayment. Investigate and document the cause of left eye pain (e.g., corneal abrasion).

  • Unspecified Pain Type

    Documenting vague pain descriptions lacks specificity for accurate coding. CDI should query physicians for details like burning, aching, or sharp pain to ensure appropriate code assignment.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document laterality: left eye pain, not just eye pain. ICD-10: H57.12
  • Specify pain type: sharp, burning, aching, throbbing for accurate CDI. SNOMED CT
  • Rule out headache diagnoses: migraine, tension headache. ICD-10: G43, G44.2
  • Detail associated symptoms: blurred vision, photophobia for proper coding. ICD-10: H53.1
  • Document onset, duration, and exacerbating factors for compliant healthcare. HCC

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Rule out corneal abrasion ICD-10 H18.1
  • Assess visual acuity SNOMED CT 247263001
  • Check intraocular pressure Glaucoma I94.2
  • Consider foreign body sensation ICD-10 H11.1

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Left Eye Pain: Coding accuracy impacts reimbursement for ophthalmology services. Proper ICD-10 (H57.1) and CPT coding crucial for maximizing claims payment.
  • Left Eye Pain: Accurate diagnosis coding (H57.1) affects hospital quality reporting metrics related to eye health, patient safety, and resource utilization.
  • Left Eye Pain: Correct coding ensures proper severity reflection, impacting DRG assignment and hospital reimbursement. Avoid H57.1 coding errors.
  • Left Eye Pain: Precise coding and documentation improve data quality for eye pain research, influencing public health initiatives and future treatments.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • ICD-10 H57.1, rule out specifics
  • Document pain location, type, onset
  • Consider Z codes for external causes
  • Check laterality: Left eye confirmed
  • Hx, exam vital for accurate coding

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with left eye pain.  Onset, duration, character, aggravating and alleviating factors, and associated symptoms were explored.  Differential diagnosis includes corneal abrasion, foreign body, uveitis, iritis, optic neuritis, glaucoma, sinusitis, migraine, and cluster headache.  Patient reports [duration] of [character] left eye pain.  [Onset details - e.g., sudden, gradual].  [Aggravating factors - e.g., eye movement, light exposure].  [Alleviating factors - e.g., cool compresses, darkness].  Associated symptoms include [list associated symptoms - e.g., blurry vision, photophobia, headache, nausea, tearing, redness].  Visual acuity assessed, with results documented.  Extraocular movements intact.  [Describe findings from ophthalmic examination, including but not limited to: pupillary response, corneal assessment with fluorescein staining, intraocular pressure measurement, slit-lamp examination findings].  Based on clinical presentation and examination findings, the diagnosis of [specific diagnosis, e.g., corneal abrasion, or working diagnosis if further investigation needed] is made.  Treatment plan includes [treatment plan - e.g., artificial tears, ophthalmic antibiotic, pain management, referral to ophthalmologist].  Patient education provided regarding [relevant topics - e.g., eye care, medication administration, follow-up care, warning signs for complications].  Return to clinic or emergency department instructed if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop.  ICD-10 code [relevant ICD-10 code] and CPT code[s] [relevant CPT code(s), if applicable] assigned.
Left Eye Pain - AI-Powered ICD-10 Documentation