2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H17Corneal scars and opacities

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H15-H22›H17

ICD-10-CM H17
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

H17 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for corneal scars and opacities, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as H17.00, H17.01, H17.02, and H17.03.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H17
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Corneal scars and opacities
Short Description
Corneal scars and opacities
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
H15-H22
Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH15-H22Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body
CategoryH17Corneal scars and opacities
This CodeH17Corneal scars and opacities

Specific Coding for Corneal scars and opacitiesOverview

Non-specific codes like H17 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • H17.0 for Adherent leukoma

  • Use H17.00 for Adherent leukoma, unspecified eye

  • Use H17.01 for Adherent leukoma, right eye

  • Use H17.02 for Adherent leukoma, left eye

  • Use H17.03 for Adherent leukoma, bilateral

  • H17.1 for Central corneal opacity

  • Use H17.10 for Central corneal opacity, unspecified eye

  • Use H17.11 for Central corneal opacity, right eye

  • Use H17.12 for Central corneal opacity, left eye

  • Use H17.13 for Central corneal opacity, bilateral

  • H17.8 for Other corneal scars and opacities

  • H17.81 for Minor opacity of cornea

  • H17.82 for Peripheral opacity of cornea

  • Use H17.89 for Other corneal scars and opacities

  • Use H17.9 for Unspecified corneal scar and opacity

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H17: 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 H17, its category, or a range that includes it.

Use Additional Code 1

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and H17 is one of the codes named.

  • L51 Erythema multiforme
    corneal scars and opacities (H17.-)

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

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.

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 H17Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for corneal scars and opacities?

H17 is the ICD-10-CM category for corneal scars and opacities, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is H17 (Corneal scars and opacities) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for corneal scars and opacities, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for corneal scars and opacities need a more specific code from this category, such as H17.00, H17.01, and H17.02.