Syphilitic interstitial keratitis

This code represents inflammation of the corneal stroma (the middle layer of the cornea) caused by syphilis. It is a late manifestation of congenital syphilis, characterized by corneal clouding, photophobia, and often associated with hearing loss and Hutchinson's teeth (Hutchinson's triad).

Use this code when documentation explicitly states syphilitic interstitial keratitis. This diagnosis is typically made based on clinical findings, serological tests for syphilis, and a history of congenital syphilis. Documentation should clearly link the keratitis to a syphilitic etiology.

• Ensure documentation specifies "syphilitic" to differentiate from other causes of interstitial keratitis.
• Consider co-reporting with codes for congenital syphilis (e.g., 090.0-090.9) if not already captured.
• Do not confuse with non-syphilitic forms of interstitial keratitis, which are coded elsewhere.