Type 2 diab with severe nonp rtnop without macular edema, bi

This diagnosis code identifies type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy affecting both eyes. This stage of retinopathy is characterized by significant microaneurysms, hemorrhages, venous beading, and intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMAs), but without the presence of new vessel growth or macular edema.

Apply this code when documentation confirms a patient with type 2 diabetes has been diagnosed with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in both eyes, and specifically notes the absence of macular edema. This is typically supported by ophthalmological examination findings, including dilated fundus exams, fundus photography, or optical coherence tomography (OCT) reports.

• Always sequence the diabetes code first, as it is the underlying systemic condition.
• Ensure documentation explicitly states "severe nonproliferative" and "bilateral," and confirms "without macular edema."
• Differentiate carefully from proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) or nonproliferative retinopathy with macular edema, as these have distinct codes.