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  6. 2026 ICD-10-CM Code H17

2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H17

Corneal scars and opacities

ICD-10-CM Code:
H17
ICD-10 Code for:
Corneal scars and opacities
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

H17 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity from the list below for a diagnosis of corneal scars and opacities. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 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 scars and opacities

Non-specific codes like H17 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following billable codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for corneal scars and opacities:

  • 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

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the eye and adnexa
    H00–H59
    • Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body
      H15-H22
      • Corneal scars and opacities
        H17

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 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
  • FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
  • 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.