H40.9

Unspecified glaucoma

A condition in which there is a build-up of fluid in the eye, which presses on the retina and the optic nerve. The retina is the layer of nerve tissue inside the eye that senses light and sends images along the optic nerve to the brain. Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and cause loss of vision or blindness.

A disorder characterized by an increase in pressure in the eyeball due to obstruction of the aqueous humor outflow.

An ocular disease, occurring in many forms, having as its primary characteristics an unstable or a sustained increase in the intraocular pressure which the eye cannot withstand without damage to its structure or impairment of its function. The consequences of the increased pressure may be manifested in a variety of symptoms, depending upon type and severity, such as excavation of the optic disk, hardness of the eyeball, corneal anesthesia, reduced visual acuity, seeing of colored halos around lights, disturbed dark adaptation, visual field defects, and headaches. dictionary of visual science, 4th ed)

Glaucoma damages the eye’s optic nerve. It is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. It usually happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, damaging the optic nerve. Often there are no symptoms at first, but a comprehensive eye exam can detect it. People at risk should get eye exams at least every two years. They include

Group of diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure resulting in damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve fibers.

Increased pressure in the eyeball due to obstruction of the outflow of aqueous humor.

H40.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

This is the American ICD-10-CM version of H40.9 – other international versions of ICD-10 H40.9 may differ.