9A78.20

ICD-11 MMS 2026-01

Bullous keratopathy

Description

This is the maximum stage of corneal oedema. It is a pathological condition in which small vesicles, or bullae, are formed in the cornea due to endothelial dysfunction. In a healthy cornea, endothelial cells keep the tissue from excess fluid absorption, pumping it back into the aqueous humour. When affected by some reason, such as Fuchs' dystrophy or a trauma during cataract removal, endothelial cells suffer mortality or damage. The corneal endothelial cells normally do not undergo mitotic cell division, and cell loss results in permanent loss of function.

Index terms

  • Bullous keratopathy
  • BK - [bullous keratopathy]

Exclusions from above levels

  • 01 – Certain infectious or parasitic diseases
  • 05 – Endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases
  • 18 – Complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
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  • 19 – Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period
  • 22 – Injury, poisoning or certain other consequences of external causes
  • 8A21.0 – Posterior cortical atrophy

Sibling codes

  • 9A78.21 – Secondary corneal oedema
  • 9A78.2Y – Other specified corneal oedema
  • 9A78.2Z – Corneal oedema, unspecified

Foundation entity

Bullous keratopathy – http://id.who.int/icd/entity/1270454490

Allowed postcoordination axes

Part of: 9A78.2: Corneal oedema › 9A78: Certain specified disorders of cornea › 09: Diseases of the visual system