Corneal abscess, bilateral

This code signifies the presence of a corneal abscess affecting both eyes. A corneal abscess is a localized collection of pus within the corneal stroma, typically caused by bacterial, fungal, or protozoal infection, leading to significant inflammation and potential vision impairment.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of corneal abscess affecting both the right and left eyes. This is commonly seen in cases of severe bilateral keratitis where infection has progressed to abscess formation, often requiring intensive antimicrobial therapy.

• Ensure the medical record explicitly states "bilateral" or specifies involvement of both eyes for a corneal abscess.
• Do not use this code if only one eye is affected; instead, select the appropriate laterality (H16.311 for right, H16.312 for left).
• Always code the underlying infectious agent (e.g., B95-B97 for bacterial, B35-B49 for fungal) as an additional diagnosis, if identified.