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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code H18.4
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H18.4

Corneal degeneration

ICD-10-CM Code:
H18.4
ICD-10 Code for:
Corneal degeneration
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the eye and adnexa
    (H00–H59)
    • Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body
      (H15-H22)
      • Other disorders of cornea
        (H18)

H18.4 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of corneal degeneration. 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 Corneal degeneration

Non-specific codes like H18.4 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 corneal degeneration:

  • Use H18.40 for Unspecified corneal degeneration - BILLABLE CODE

  • H18.41 for Arcus senilis - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.411 for Arcus senilis, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.412 for Arcus senilis, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.413 for Arcus senilis, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.419 for Arcus senilis, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H18.42 for Band keratopathy - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.421 for Band keratopathy, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.422 for Band keratopathy, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.423 for Band keratopathy, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.429 for Band keratopathy, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.43 for Other calcerous corneal degeneration - BILLABLE CODE

  • H18.44 for Keratomalacia - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.441 for Keratomalacia, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.442 for Keratomalacia, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.443 for Keratomalacia, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.449 for Keratomalacia, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H18.45 for Nodular corneal degeneration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.451 for Nodular corneal degeneration, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.452 for Nodular corneal degeneration, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.453 for Nodular corneal degeneration, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.459 for Nodular corneal degeneration, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H18.46 for Peripheral corneal degeneration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.461 for Peripheral corneal degeneration, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.462 for Peripheral corneal degeneration, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.463 for Peripheral corneal degeneration, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.469 for Peripheral corneal degeneration, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H18.49 for Other corneal degeneration - BILLABLE CODE

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.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • Mooren's ulcer H16.0
  • recurrent erosion of cornea H18.83

Patient Education


Corneal Disorders

Your cornea is the outermost layer of your eye. It is clear and shaped like a dome. The cornea helps to shield the rest of the eye from germs, dust, and other harmful matter. It also helps your eye to focus. If you wear contact lenses, they float on top of your corneas.

Problems with the cornea include:

  • Refractive errors
  • Allergies
  • Infections
  • Injuries
  • Dystrophies - conditions in which parts of the cornea lose clarity due to a buildup of cloudy material

Treatments of corneal disorders include medicines, corneal transplantation, and corneal laser surgery.

NIH: National Eye Institute


[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.