2025 ICD-10-CM code A18.52
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Infectious Disease - Tuberculosis of eye Chapter 1: Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) Feed
Tuberculous keratitis is a rare form of tuberculosis affecting the cornea.
Not applicable to ICD-10 diagnosis codes.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of clinical findings consistent with tuberculous keratitis, confirmed by diagnostic testing.The treatment plan must be appropriate for the severity of the infection and the patient's overall health status. The diagnosis must be supported by laboratory data and other clinical information. The treatment plan must be supported by guidelines for treating tuberculosis.
The clinical responsibility includes the complete workup and diagnosis, including ordering appropriate tests (blood tests, tuberculin skin tests, biomicroscopy, and corneal biopsies as needed), interpreting test results, making the diagnosis of tuberculous keratitis, creating a treatment plan, and monitoring the patient's response to treatment.Involves ophthalmologists and infectious disease specialists.
In simple words: Tuberculous keratitis is a rare eye infection caused by tuberculosis bacteria.It affects the clear front part of the eye (cornea), causing pain, redness, blurry vision, and light sensitivity. Doctors diagnose it through tests and may take a tissue sample. Treatment involves strong antibiotics.
Tuberculous keratitis is a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) affecting the cornea. It results from reactivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli, less frequently Mycobacterium bovis, lodged in the cornea from a prior infection or direct inoculation.Patients may present with eye pain, excessive tearing, blurred vision, redness, corneal clouding, and photophobia. Diagnosis involves blood tests, tuberculin skin testing, and potentially biomicroscopy and histopathological examination of corneal biopsies.Definitive diagnosis requires culturing intraocular fluids. Treatment typically involves antituberculous chemotherapy (isoniazid, rifampin, rifabutin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol), with alternative medications considered if necessary.
Example 1: A 45-year-old patient with a history of latent tuberculosis presents with progressive blurring of vision in their right eye, redness, and pain.Examination reveals corneal opacity and infiltration consistent with tuberculous keratitis.Blood tests, tuberculin skin test, and corneal biopsy are positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.The patient is treated with a multi-drug antituberculous regimen. , A 60-year-old immunocompromised patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis develops a corneal ulcer.Ophthalmological examination reveals tuberculous keratitis.The patient is started on appropriate anti-tuberculosis medication, with close monitoring of their eye condition and overall health. , A 28-year-old patient with a history of trauma to the eye presents with a corneal infiltrate.The patient is diagnosed with tuberculous keratitis through a combination of diagnostic testing including microbiology culture. The patient is treated with antitubercular drugs and monitored regularly.
Complete ophthalmologic examination notes, including visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy findings, description of corneal lesions, and results of any diagnostic tests (blood tests, tuberculin skin test, and microbiology culture from corneal biopsy or intraocular fluid).Detailed treatment plan should be documented along with the patient's response to therapy.
** This code should only be used when tuberculous keratitis is confirmed by appropriate diagnostic testing.The severity of the infection and the patient's overall health status should be considered when determining the appropriate treatment plan.Close monitoring and follow-up care are essential for successful management.
- Revenue Code: Revenue codes will vary depending on the payer and the services provided.Consult your payer's guidelines.
- RVU: RVUs are not directly associated with ICD-10 codes.RVUs are determined by the procedures and services provided, which would be coded with CPT or HCPCS codes, and vary by location and payer.
- Global Days : Not applicable to ICD-10 diagnosis codes.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to ICD-10 diagnosis codes.
- Fee Schedule : Not applicable to ICD-10 diagnosis codes.
- Specialties:Ophthalmology, Infectious Disease
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office