2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H16.079Perforated corneal ulcer, unspecified eye

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H15-H22›H16

ICD-10-CM H16.079
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

H16.079 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for perforated corneal ulcer, unspecified eye. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 121 through 122. Coders also document this condition as perforated corneal ulcer. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Cornea and external disease.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H16.079
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Perforated corneal ulcer, unspecified eye
Short Description
Perforated corneal ulcer, unspecified eye
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H16.07
Perforated corneal ulcer

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH15-H22Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body
CategoryH16Keratitis
This CodeH16.079Perforated corneal ulcer, unspecified eye

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Perforated corneal ulcer
  • Perforation of cornea

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H16.079: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 7. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

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 Chapter 7 (H00-H59) Diseases of the eye and adnexa applies to 2,677 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • diabetes mellitus related eye conditions (E09.3-, E10.3-, E11.3-, E13.3-)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury (trauma) of eye and orbit (S05.-)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
  • syphilis related eye disorders (A50.01, A50.3-, A51.43, A52.71)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 7 (H00-H59) Diseases of the eye and adnexa applies to 2,677 codes
  • Use an external cause code following the code for the eye condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the eye condition

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name H16.079, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming H16.079: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • H18.4 Corneal degeneration
    Mooren's ulcer (H16.0-) names H16.0-, which includes this code

Use Additional Code 1

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and H16.079 is one of the codes named.

  • L51 Erythema multiforme
    corneal ulcer (H16.0-) names H16.0-, which includes this code

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR EYE001
Cornea and external disease
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • 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 EducationClinical

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.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert H16.079 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
370.06 Perforated corneal ulcer
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 H16.079Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for perforated corneal ulcer, unspecified eye?

The ICD-10-CM code for perforated corneal ulcer, unspecified eye is H16.079 (sometimes written as H16079). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is H16.079 (Perforated corneal ulcer) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report perforated corneal ulcer, unspecified eye on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does H16.079 group to?

When perforated corneal ulcer, unspecified eye is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 122, 121, with relative weights from 0.7403 to 1.2249 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of H16.079?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, perforated corneal ulcer, unspecified eye converts to ICD-9-CM 370.06 (perforated corneal ulcer). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.