In the case of bilateral glaucoma with proper documentation, what code should be reported if bilateral glaucoma is specified?

When coding for bilateral glaucoma, if the documentation specifies bilateral glaucoma, the appropriate approach is to report only the type of glaucoma with the specific stage related to the condition. This means you will use a single code that reflects the type of glaucoma present in both eyes along with its classification or staging.

In coding practices, it's important to ensure that the principles of specificity and accuracy are followed, especially when the documentation provides information about laterality. By coding only the type of glaucoma with stage, you are accurately capturing the clinical picture without unnecessarily complicating the coding with multiple codes. This method aligns with coding guidelines, which emphasize conciseness and clarity in reporting a patient's condition, rather than duplicating information that is inherently understood as being bilateral.

The other options would require coding practices that either complicate the reporting process or do not conform to the established coding standards for bilateral conditions. The emphasis on coding accurately reflects both the understanding of the condition as it pertains to the patient and the need for streamlined, efficient coding for record-keeping and billing purposes.