2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H17.9Unspecified corneal scar and opacity

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H15-H22›H17

ICD-10-CM H17.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H17.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified corneal scar and opacity. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 124 through 125. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Cornea and external disease.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H17.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified corneal scar and opacity
Short Description
Unspecified corneal scar and opacity
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H17
Corneal scars and opacities

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH15-H22Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body
CategoryH17Corneal scars and opacities
This CodeH17.9Unspecified corneal scar and opacity

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Bilateral leukoma of cornea of eyes
  • Corneal haze
  • Corneal haze caused by herpes simplex
  • Corneal haze caused by herpes zoster
  • Corneal keloid
  • Corneal leukoma
  • Corneal opacity
  • Corneal scar
  • Corneal scars and opacities
  • Corneal stromal opacities
  • Corneal subepithelial haze
  • Corneal subepithelial scar
  • Irregular corneal stromal opacities
  • Leukoma of cornea of left eye
  • Leukoma of cornea of right eye
  • Opacity of cornea of bilateral eyes
  • Opacity of cornea of left eye
  • Opacity of cornea of right eye
  • Post-herpetic corneal scar
  • Post-surgical corneal haze
  • Post-traumatic corneal opacity
  • Regular corneal stromal opacities
  • Scar of cornea of bilateral eyes
  • Scar of cornea of left eye
  • Scar of cornea of right eye
  • Stromal corneal haze

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Cicatrix(adherent) (contracted) (painful) (vicious)
      • cornea
    • Scar, scarring
      • cornea

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 Opacity

    disorder occurring in the central or peripheral area of the cornea. the usual degree of transparency becomes relatively opaque.

  • Corneal Scar

    replacement of corneal tissue with scar tissue as a result of injury to the deeper layers of the cornea.

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 H17.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
371.00 Corneal opacity NOS
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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About H17.9Overview

Is H17.9 (Corneal scars and opacities) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified corneal scar and opacity on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does H17.9 group to?

When unspecified corneal scar and opacity is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 124, 125, with relative weights from 0.7678 to 1.3231 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of H17.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified corneal scar and opacity converts to ICD-9-CM 371.00 (corneal opacity NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.