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  3. H00–H59
  4. H15-H22
  5. H16
  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code H16.0
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H16.0

Corneal ulcer

ICD-10-CM Code:
H16.0
ICD-10 Code for:
Corneal ulcer
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)
      • Keratitis
        (H16)

H16.0 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 ulcer. 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 ulcer

Non-specific codes like H16.0 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 ulcer:

  • H16.00 for Unspecified corneal ulcer - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.001 for Unspecified corneal ulcer, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.002 for Unspecified corneal ulcer, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.003 for Unspecified corneal ulcer, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.009 for Unspecified corneal ulcer, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H16.01 for Central corneal ulcer - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.011 for Central corneal ulcer, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.012 for Central corneal ulcer, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.013 for Central corneal ulcer, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.019 for Central corneal ulcer, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H16.02 for Ring corneal ulcer - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.021 for Ring corneal ulcer, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.022 for Ring corneal ulcer, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.023 for Ring corneal ulcer, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.029 for Ring corneal ulcer, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H16.03 for Corneal ulcer with hypopyon - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.031 for Corneal ulcer with hypopyon, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.032 for Corneal ulcer with hypopyon, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.033 for Corneal ulcer with hypopyon, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.039 for Corneal ulcer with hypopyon, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H16.04 for Marginal corneal ulcer - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.041 for Marginal corneal ulcer, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.042 for Marginal corneal ulcer, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.043 for Marginal corneal ulcer, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.049 for Marginal corneal ulcer, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H16.05 for Mooren's corneal ulcer - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.051 for Mooren's corneal ulcer, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.052 for Mooren's corneal ulcer, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.053 for Mooren's corneal ulcer, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.059 for Mooren's corneal ulcer, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H16.06 for Mycotic corneal ulcer - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.061 for Mycotic corneal ulcer, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.062 for Mycotic corneal ulcer, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.063 for Mycotic corneal ulcer, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.069 for Mycotic corneal ulcer, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H16.07 for Perforated corneal ulcer - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.071 for Perforated corneal ulcer, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.072 for Perforated corneal ulcer, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.073 for Perforated corneal ulcer, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H16.079 for Perforated corneal ulcer, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Corneal Ulcer

    loss of epithelial tissue from the surface of the cornea due to progressive erosion and necrosis of the tissue; usually caused by bacterial, fungal, or viral infection.

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.