Acquired absence of eye

This diagnosis code indicates the permanent loss of an eye that was present at birth, resulting from trauma, disease, or surgical removal (enucleation). It signifies the physical absence of the globe of the eye, not merely impaired vision.

This code is appropriate for patients who have undergone enucleation due to conditions such as severe ocular trauma, intraocular tumors, or intractable painful blind eye. It is also used for individuals who have lost an eye due to congenital malformations or acquired diseases that necessitated its removal.

• Always specify the laterality (left, right, or bilateral) when reporting this code.
• Distinguish between congenital absence (anophthalmia) and acquired absence; this code is for acquired conditions.
• Do not use this code for conditions where the eye is present but non-functional or severely damaged (e.g., phthisis bulbi), unless the eye has been surgically removed.