Photokeratitis, unspecified eye

This code signifies an acute, painful inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It is essentially a sunburn of the eye, often resulting from reflected sunlight from snow, water, or direct exposure to artificial UV sources. Symptoms typically include severe eye pain, photophobia, tearing, and foreign body sensation.

Apply this code when documentation indicates a diagnosis of photokeratitis without specifying laterality. This is appropriate when the patient presents with bilateral symptoms or when the provider does not specify which eye is affected. Documentation should clearly link the ocular symptoms to UV exposure.

• Avoid using this code if laterality (right or left eye) is documented; instead, use the more specific codes for unilateral involvement.
• Distinguish from other forms of keratitis (e.g., bacterial, viral) by confirming the etiology is UV radiation.
• Consider sequencing this code as the primary diagnosis if it is the reason for the encounter.