Acute follicular conjunctivitis, unspecified eye

This code describes an acute inflammation of the conjunctiva characterized by the presence of follicles, which are small, elevated lymphoid aggregates. It indicates that the specific eye affected (right or left) was not documented or determined at the time of diagnosis. This condition is often viral in origin but can also be bacterial or allergic.

Use this code when documentation clearly states "acute follicular conjunctivitis" but does not specify laterality (e.g., "unspecified eye," "bilateral" without individual eye specification, or simply "follicular conjunctivitis" without further detail). This code is appropriate when the provider's notes lack the specificity to assign a more precise laterality code (H10.011 or H10.012).

• Avoid using this code if the medical record clearly indicates the affected eye (right or left); instead, use the more specific laterality codes.
• Query the provider for laterality if "acute follicular conjunctivitis" is documented without specifying the eye.
• This code is for acute presentations; do not use for chronic follicular conjunctivitis (H10.41-).