2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E50.6Vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea

ICD-10-CM Codes›E00–E89›E50-E64›E50

ICD-10-CM E50.6
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

E50.6 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 124 through 125. Coders also document this condition as dry cornea. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Nutritional deficiencies.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
E50.6
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea
Short Description
Vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
E50
Vitamin A deficiency

Code Classification

ChapterE00–E89Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases
SectionE50-E64Other nutritional deficiencies
CategoryE50Vitamin A deficiency
This CodeE50.6Vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Dry cornea
  • Vitamin A deficiency
  • Vitamin A deficiency with corneal xerosis
  • Vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic corneal scars
  • Xerophthalmia
  • Xerosis of cornea

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to E50.6: its own notes plus those printed at E50, block E50-E64, and Chapter 4. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From E50 Vitamin A deficiency applies to 10 codes
  • sequelae of vitamin A deficiency (E64.1)
From Chapter 4 (E00-E89) Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases applies to 973 codes
  • transitory endocrine and metabolic disorders specific to newborn (P70-P74)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Block E50-E64 Other nutritional deficiencies applies to 50 codes

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 4 (E00-E89) Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases applies to 973 codes
  • All neoplasms, whether functionally active or not, are classified in Chapter 2. Appropriate codes in this chapter (i.e. E05.8, E07.0, E16-E31, E34.-) may be used as additional codes to indicate either functional activity by neoplasms and ectopic endocrine tissue or hyperfunction and hypofunction of endocrine glands associated with neoplasms and other conditions classified elsewhere.

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name E50.6, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention E50.6.

  • P00.4 Newborn affected by maternal nutritional disorders
    Newborn affected by maternal disorders classifiable to E40-E64 names E40-E64, which includes this code

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming E50.6: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • T45.2X6 Underdosing of vitamins
    vitamin deficiencies (E50-E56) names E50-E56, which includes this code
  • Z72.4 Inappropriate diet and eating habits
    malnutrition and other nutritional deficiencies (E40-E64) names E40-E64, which includes this code

Code First 1

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and E50.6 is one of the conditions named.

  • G63 Polyneuropathy in diseases classified elsewhere
    nutritional deficiency (E40-E64) names E40-E64, which includes this code

Notes 1

These notes mention E50.6.

  • E64 Sequelae of malnutrition and other nutritional deficiencies
    This category is to be used to indicate conditions in categories E43, E44, E46, E50-E63 as the cause of sequelae, which are themselves classified elsewhere. The 'sequelae' include conditions specified as such; they also include the late effects of diseases classifiable to the above categories if the disease itself is no longer present names E50-E63, which includes this code

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR END007
Nutritional deficiencies
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Vitamin A Deficiency

    a nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of vitamin a in the diet, characterized by night blindness and other ocular manifestations such as dryness of the conjunctiva and later of the cornea (xerophthalmia). vitamin a deficiency is a very common problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries as a consequence of famine or shortages of vitamin a-rich foods. in the united states it is found among the urban poor, the elderly, alcoholics, and patients with malabsorption. (from cecil textbook of medicine, 19th ed, p1179)

Patient EducationClinical

Malnutrition

Malnutrition means that your body isn't getting enough calories or the right balance of nutrients to stay healthy. This can happen if you don't get enough protein, carbohydrates, and fats, eat too much unhealthy food, or don't get the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

The full article covers:

  • What is malnutrition?
  • What are the types of malnutrition?
  • What causes malnutrition?
  • Who is at risk for developing malnutrition?
  • What are the symptoms of malnutrition?
  • How is malnutrition diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for malnutrition?
  • Can malnutrition be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert E50.6 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
264.6 Vit A def w corneal scar
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About E50.6Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea?

The ICD-10-CM code for vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea is E50.6 (sometimes written as E506). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is E50.6 (Vitamin A deficiency) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does E50.6 group to?

When vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 125, 124, with relative weights from 0.7699 to 1.2470 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can E50.6 be reported with E64.1?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at E50, which applies to E50.6, lists "sequelae of vitamin A deficiency (E64.1)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of E50.6?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea converts to ICD-9-CM 264.6 (vit A def w corneal scar). The mapping is a direct match.