2025 ICD-10-CM code A18.53
Tuberculous chorioretinitis.Inflammation of the choroid and retina due to tuberculosis.
The medical necessity for treating tuberculous chorioretinitis stems from the potential for vision loss if the infection is left untreated.Treatment aims to control the infection and preserve vision.
A patient with tuberculous chorioretinitis can experience eye pain, excessive tearing, mild to moderate ocular discomfort, blurred vision, eye redness, and sensitivity to light. Providers diagnose the condition based on cultures and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies of the blood and intraocular fluid, a tuberculin skin test, and previous history of tuberculosis or active disease. Biomicroscopy and intraocular imaging studies may show typical intraocular manifestations of TB. Treatment includes antituberculous chemotherapy with isoniazid, rifampin, rifabutin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. Other drugs may be used if these are ineffective.
In simple words: Tuberculous chorioretinitis is an inflammation of the back part of the eye caused by tuberculosis. It's a rare complication of TB that can cause eye pain, blurry vision, and light sensitivity.
Tuberculous chorioretinitis is a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) that affects the uvea of the eye resulting from reactivation of the bacilli lodged in the area from an original infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rarely by Mycobacterium bovis or by direct introduction of the bacteria through an open wound.
Example 1: A patient with a history of tuberculosis presents with blurred vision, eye pain, and light sensitivity.Examination reveals chorioretinitis.Diagnostic testing confirms tuberculous chorioretinitis., A patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis develops eye inflammation.After further examination and testing, the diagnosis is tuberculous chorioretinitis., A patient with no known history of tuberculosis presents with symptoms of chorioretinitis.Through extensive diagnostic workup, including cultures and PCR, tuberculous chorioretinitis is confirmed.
Documentation should include evidence of active or past tuberculosis, clinical findings of chorioretinitis (e.g., eye pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity), and results of diagnostic tests (e.g., cultures, PCR, tuberculin skin test, biomicroscopy, imaging studies) confirming the diagnosis.
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Ophthalmology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Office,Outpatient Hospital