Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

AMD is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50, says Becky Zellmer, CPC, COTA, MBS, CBCS, medical billing and coding supervisor for Suby, Von Haden and Associates in Neenah, Wis. Neovascular AMD (also known as exudative or "wet" AMD) is marked by abnormal blood vessels growing in the back of the eye, which sometimes leak blood or fluid that causes blurred or distorted vision.

Describe this condition with code 362.52 (Exudative senile macular degeneration). Wet AMD usually progresses from non-neovascular, or "dry" AMD (362.51, Nonexudative senile macular degeneration), which is the more common condition.

Time-saver: Don't get hung up on two additional AMD terms: "classic" or "occult." These further classifications of wet AMD don't make a difference in your code selection. You would use 362.52 to describe either form.