Skip to main content
  • Glaucoma Problems Addressed at the Encounter


    I was told if patients have two different stages of glaucoma — moderate in one eye, severe in the other eye — this counts as two problems. Is that correct?

    Answer:
    Having glaucoma in each eye does not count as two separate problems addressed at the encounter. If one eye has severe glaucoma that would be one chronic illness with progression, a moderate level of problems addressed at the encounter. If the patient has stable glaucoma (one or both eyes), that is one stable chronic illness or low level.

    Visit aao.org/em for additional evaluation and management (E/M) coding guidance.