ICD 10 CM E10.35 | Description & Clinical Information

ICD 10 E10.35 describes a medical condition known as Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), which is a chronic autoimmune disease that occurs due to the destruction of pancreatic beta cells, leading to insufficient insulin production, resulting in high blood glucose levels that gradually damage the blood supply to the retina, causing the growth of new blood vessels, and in some cases, macular edema (swelling) and retinal detachment.

Official Description Of E10.35

The ICD 10 CM book defines ICD 10 code E10.35 as:

When To Use E10.35

The diagnosis describes by ICD 10 CM E10.35 is proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a severe stage of diabetic eye disease that occurs when the microvessels in the retina become blocked, resulting in hypoxia or lack of oxygen in the tissue. As a result, the body develops new blood vessels, a process known as neovascularization, that supply the retina with oxygen. Unfortunately, these newly formed vessels are often delicate and break easily, leading to bleeding in the vitreous, which can cause floaters or macular swelling. Additionally, scar tissues can form due to abnormal blood vessels’ growth, resulting in retinal detachment.

People with Type 1 diabetes who have proliferative diabetic retinopathy may experience various eye symptoms such as blurry vision, light flashes, cotton wool spots, eye pain, changes in color vision, grayed-out or missing visual areas, and if left untreated, vision loss. There may also be typical symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, including fatigue, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and unintentional weight loss. Medical providers typically diagnose this condition based on the individual’s medical history, physical, and eye examination along with evident symptoms.

Diagnostic eye tests can confirm the diagnosis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, including tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, fluorescein or indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography. B-scan ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging might be recommended in certain cases.

In addition to diagnosing proliferative diabetic retinopathy, health care providers look for other potential associated conditions by performing glucose tolerance tests, checking plasma glucose levels, examining HbA1c levels, examining the blood for the presence of antiinsulin antibodies, and urine for albumin, glucose, and ketones. These tests may be part of an overall assessment to understand the extent of the complications and determine the most appropriate treatment.

Treatment options differ according to the severity of the condition. In some cases, treatment may include laser photocoagulation to target leaking blood vessels or surgery to repair a detached retina through vitrectomy. Anti-VEGF or steroid injections may also be given in some instances. Patients with Type 1 diabetes need lifelong insulin therapy, diet management, and close monitoring of blood glucose levels.

Individuals with Type 1 diabetes may need to monitor their blood glucose using glucose monitoring devices that measure interstitial blood glucose. These devices are critical in patients whose disease is challenging to control, and sometimes insulin pumps are required for optimal management.

In conclusion, proliferative diabetic retinopathy is a severe complication of Type 1 diabetes. Early detection and careful management can protect against vision loss and improve outcomes. Regular eye exams and blood sugar monitoring are essential for people with Type 1 diabetes to help prevent this condition’s development and enable early intervention.