Acute lacrimal canaliculitis of unspecified lacrimal passage

This code signifies an acute inflammation of the tear duct that drains tears from the eye into the lacrimal sac, affecting an unspecified lacrimal passage. It indicates a sudden onset of infection or inflammation within the canaliculus, which is a small tube connecting the punctum to the lacrimal sac.

Use this code when documentation specifies acute inflammation of the lacrimal canaliculus without identifying whether it affects the right, left, or bilateral passages. This typically occurs in cases of dacryocanaliculitis where the laterality is not explicitly stated. Supporting documentation would include physician notes detailing acute symptoms like pain, redness, swelling, and discharge from the punctum, along with a diagnosis of canaliculitis.

• Avoid using this code if the laterality (right, left, or bilateral) is documented; instead, select a more specific code.
• Ensure the documentation clearly states "acute" to differentiate from chronic forms of canaliculitis.
• Consider co-reporting with codes for underlying infectious agents if identified and documented.