ICD-10 Code E11.31 – Type 2 diabetes mellitus with unspecified diabetic retinopathy (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E11.31 – Type 2 diabetes mellitus with unspecified diabetic retinopathy
What it is
This code identifies type 2 diabetes complicated by diabetic retinopathy when the eye involvement is documented but not further specified. It tells you the patient has retinal disease related to diabetes, without a stated severity or subtype.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly documented findings include diabetic retinal changes noted on eye examination, with the retinopathy described as unspecified rather than proliferative or nonproliferative.
When to use this code
Use this code when the record confirms type 2 diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, but the provider does not document the specific retinopathy type or stage. It is appropriate for ophthalmology or primary care notes that mention diabetic retinopathy without additional detail. If the chart specifies a more precise retinopathy category, code that instead.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for diabetes without eye complications or for retinopathy caused by another condition. If the documentation identifies a specific diabetic retinopathy type, check documentation and code the more exact option.
Coding tip
Query for the retinopathy type when the note says only “diabetic retinopathy,” because unspecified coding should be a documentation-driven choice.