2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H18.449Keratomalacia, unspecified eye

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H15-H22›H18

ICD-10-CM H18.449
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H18.449 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for keratomalacia, unspecified eye. 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. Coders also document this condition as keratomalacia. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Cornea and external disease.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H18.449
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Keratomalacia, unspecified eye
Short Description
Keratomalacia, unspecified eye
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H18.44
Keratomalacia

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH15-H22Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body
CategoryH18Other disorders of cornea
This CodeH18.449Keratomalacia, unspecified eye

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Keratomalacia
  • Xerophthalmia

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

  • Xerophthalmia

    dryness of the eye surfaces caused by deficiency of tears or conjunctival secretions. it may be associated with vitamin a deficiency, trauma, or any condition in which the eyelids do not close completely.

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 H18.449 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
371.45 Keratomalacia 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 H18.449Overview

Is H18.449 (Keratomalacia) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does H18.449 group to?

When keratomalacia, unspecified eye 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 H18.449?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, keratomalacia, unspecified eye converts to ICD-9-CM 371.45 (keratomalacia 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.