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Chapter 7: Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00–H59)

Conditions of the eye and the structures around it: cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, conjunctivitis and disorders of the eyelids, tear system and retina.

Chapter 7 spans codes H00–H59 in the FY2027 ICD-10-CM tabular list. This guide explains 20 of its most common codes — select a code for its official description, a plain-English explanation and a note on when the code is used.

ICD-10 Chapter 7: Eye & Adnexa — illustrative image

Codes in this chapter

CodeOfficial descriptionIn plain words
H00.019Hordeolum externum unspecified eye, unspecified eyelidA stye (hordeolum externum) is a small, painful bacterial lump at the edge of the eyelid, at the base of an eyelash.
H01.009Unspecified blepharitis unspecified eye, unspecified eyelidBlepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid edges, causing redness, crusting and irritation.
H04.123Dry eye syndrome of bilateral lacrimal glandsDry eye syndrome of both eyes: the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, causing grittiness and soreness.
H10.33Unspecified acute conjunctivitis, bilateralAcute conjunctivitis ('pink eye') of both eyes: inflammation of the clear covering of the eye, causing redness and discharge.
H10.9Unspecified conjunctivitisConjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white of the eye and inner eyelids.
H25.13Age-related nuclear cataract, bilateralAge-related nuclear cataracts in both eyes: the centre of each lens gradually clouds with age, dimming vision.
H25.9Unspecified age-related cataractAn age-related cataract is clouding of the eye's lens with ageing, the commonest cause of reversible blindness worldwide.
H35.033Hypertensive retinopathy, bilateralHypertensive retinopathy is damage to the retina's blood vessels from high blood pressure, here affecting both eyes.
H35.30Unspecified macular degenerationMacular degeneration is deterioration of the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for detailed central vision.
H40.1131Primary open-angle glaucoma, bilateral, mild stagePrimary open-angle glaucoma of both eyes, mild stage: raised eye pressure gradually damages the optic nerve and peripheral vision.
H40.9Unspecified glaucomaGlaucoma is a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve is damaged, usually by raised pressure inside the eye.
H43.393Other vitreous opacities, bilateralOther vitreous opacities in both eyes are shadows or floaters caused by strands or deposits in the gel filling the eye.
H43.813Vitreous degeneration, bilateralVitreous degeneration of both eyes: the gel inside the eye shrinks and separates with age, often causing floaters.
H47.10Unspecified papilledemaPapilloedema is swelling of the optic disc at the back of the eye, here without a specified cause.
H52.03Hypermetropia, bilateralHypermetropia (long-sightedness) of both eyes: distant objects are clearer than near ones because the eye focuses images behind the retina.
H52.13Myopia, bilateralMyopia (short-sightedness) of both eyes: near objects are clear but distant objects are blurred.
H52.4PresbyopiaPresbyopia is the age-related loss of the eye's ability to focus on near objects, typically starting in the mid-40s.
H53.8Other visual disturbancesOther visual disturbances include blurred vision, halos, flashes or other changes not classified elsewhere.
H54.7Unspecified visual lossVisual loss recorded without information about its cause, type or the eye affected.
H57.10Ocular pain, unspecified eyePain in or around the eye, without a specified cause or side.

This guide explains ICD-10-CM codes in plain language for patients, students and other readers. It is educational information only — not coding, billing or medical advice. The code recorded for any real encounter is assigned from the full clinical documentation by the treating team and qualified coders, and only they can decide which code fits a specific case.

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