2027 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 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) 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 keloid
  • Corneal leukoma
  • Corneal opacity
  • Corneal scar
  • Corneal scars and opacities
  • Corneal stromal opacities
  • Corneal subepithelial haze
  • Corneal subepithelial scar
  • Herpes zoster corneal haze
  • 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

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H17.9: 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 H17.9, its category, or a range that includes it.

Use Additional Code 1

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and H17.9 is one of the codes named.

  • L51 Erythema multiforme
    corneal scars and opacities (H17.-) names H17.-, which includes this code

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to 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

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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About H17.9Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for unspecified corneal scar and opacity?

The ICD-10-CM code for unspecified corneal scar and opacity is H17.9 (sometimes written as H179). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

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 125, 124, with relative weights from 0.7699 to 1.2470 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.