Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy without Macular Edema, Bilateral

Name of the Condition

• Common Name: Type 2 Diabetes with Diabetic Eye Disease
• Medical Term: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy without Macular Edema, Bilateral

Summary

This condition is a complication of type 2 diabetes where the growth of new blood vessels in the retina occurs, but without the presence of macular edema, affecting both eyes. It can potentially lead to vision impairment or blindness if untreated.

Causes

• Prolonged high blood sugar levels damage retinal blood vessels.
• Diabetes-related vascular changes leading to new, fragile blood vessels in the eye.

Risk Factors

• Poorly controlled blood sugar levels.
• Hypertension and high cholesterol.
• Long duration of diabetes.
• Smoking and obesity.

Symptoms

• Often silent in early stages.
• Possible blurred vision or vision loss.
• Spots or dark strings (floaters) in vision.

Diagnosis

• Comprehensive dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist.
• Fundus photography or fluorescein angiography.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to rule out macular edema.

Treatment Options

• Laser surgery to shrink abnormal blood vessels.
• Anti-VEGF injections to reduce new vessel formation.
• Vitrectomy surgery in severe cases.
• Strict blood sugar and blood pressure control to prevent progression.

Prognosis and Follow-Up

• With proper management, progression can be slowed or halted.
• Regular eye exams are essential for monitoring.
• Vision loss risk is significantly reduced when treatments are timely.

Complications

• Risk of vision impairment or blindness if untreated.
• Retinal detachment due to non-regressed blood vessels.
• Increased chance of glaucoma or cataract formation.

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Regular monitoring of blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
• Healthy diet and regular physical activity.
• Avoid smoking and manage stress.

When to Seek Professional Help

• Sudden changes in vision or appearance of floaters.
• Routine diabetes management visits with healthcare providers.
• Any warning signs of eye-related issues in diabetics.

Additional Resources

• American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org)
• National Eye Institute (nei.nih.gov)
• Diabetic Retinopathy Patients Support Network

Tips for Medical Coders

• Ensure the bilateral nature of the condition is recorded.
• Differentiate from cases with macular edema (E11.359).
• Verify retinal assessments and consistency in documentation.