Retinal hemorrhage, bilateral

This code signifies bleeding within the retina of both eyes. Retinal hemorrhages can manifest in various layers of the retina and may be indicative of underlying systemic conditions or localized ocular pathology.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states the presence of retinal hemorrhage affecting both the right and left eyes. This is commonly seen in conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, or trauma, where the hemorrhage is explicitly noted as bilateral.

• Ensure the physician's documentation explicitly states "bilateral" or specifies hemorrhage in both the right and left eyes.
• Do not use this code if the hemorrhage is unilateral; instead, select the appropriate code for the affected eye (H35.61 for right, H35.62 for left).
• Always code the underlying cause of the retinal hemorrhage, if known and documented, as the primary diagnosis, with this code as a secondary diagnosis.