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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code H50.2
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H50.2

Vertical strabismus

ICD-10-CM Code:
H50.2
ICD-10 Code for:
Vertical strabismus
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the eye and adnexa
    (H00–H59)
    • Disorders of ocular muscles, binocular movement, accommodation and refraction
      (H49-H52)
      • Other strabismus
        (H50)

H50.2 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of vertical strabismus. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Vertical strabismus

Non-specific codes like H50.2 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for vertical strabismus:

  • Use H50.21 for Vertical strabismus, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H50.22 for Vertical strabismus, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Esotropia

    a form of ocular misalignment characterized by an excessive convergence of the visual axes, resulting in a "cross-eye" appearance. an example of this condition occurs when paralysis of the lateral rectus muscle causes an abnormal inward deviation of one eye on attempted gaze.

  • Exotropia

    a form of ocular misalignment where the visual axes diverge inappropriately. for example, medial rectus muscle weakness may produce this condition as the affected eye will deviate laterally upon attempted forward gaze. an exotropia occurs due to the relatively unopposed force exerted on the eye by the lateral rectus muscle, which pulls the eye in an outward direction.

  • Strabismus

    misalignment of the visual axes of the eyes. in comitant strabismus the degree of ocular misalignment does not vary with the direction of gaze. in noncomitant strabismus the degree of misalignment varies depending on direction of gaze or which eye is fixating on the target. (miller, walsh & hoyt's clinical neuro-ophthalmology, 4th ed, p641)

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Hypertropia

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Patient Education


Eye Movement Disorders

When you look at an object, you're using several muscles to move both eyes to focus on it. If you have a problem with the muscles, the eyes don't work properly.

There are many kinds of eye movement disorders. Two common ones are:

  • Strabismus - a disorder in which the two eyes don't line up in the same direction. This results in "crossed eyes" or "walleye."
  • Nystagmus - fast, uncontrollable movements of the eyes, sometimes called "dancing eyes"

Some eye movement disorders are present at birth. Others develop over time and may be associated with other problems, such as injuries. Treatments include glasses, patches, eye muscle exercises, and surgery. There is no cure for some kinds of eye movement disorders, such as most kinds of nystagmus.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.