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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code H21.5

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H21.5

Other and unspecified adhesions and disruptions of iris and ciliary body

ICD-10-CM Code:
H21.5
ICD-10 Code for:
Oth and unsp adhes and disruptions of iris and ciliary body
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the eye and adnexa
    (H00–H59)
    • Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body
      (H15-H22)
      • Other disorders of iris and ciliary body
        (H21)

H21.5 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of other and unspecified adhesions and disruptions of iris and ciliary body. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 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.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like H21.5 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Oth and unsp adhes and disruptions of iris and ciliary body

Non-specific codes like H21.5 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for oth and unsp adhes and disruptions of iris and ciliary body:

  • H21.50 for Unspecified adhesions of iris - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.501 for Unspecified adhesions of iris, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.502 for Unspecified adhesions of iris, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.503 for Unspecified adhesions of iris, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.509 for Unspecified adhesions of iris and ciliary body, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H21.51 for Anterior synechiae (iris) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.511 for Anterior synechiae (iris), right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.512 for Anterior synechiae (iris), left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.513 for Anterior synechiae (iris), bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.519 for Anterior synechiae (iris), unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H21.52 for Goniosynechiae - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.521 for Goniosynechiae, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.522 for Goniosynechiae, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.523 for Goniosynechiae, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.529 for Goniosynechiae, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H21.53 for Iridodialysis - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.531 for Iridodialysis, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.532 for Iridodialysis, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.533 for Iridodialysis, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.539 for Iridodialysis, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H21.54 for Posterior synechiae (iris) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.541 for Posterior synechiae (iris), right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.542 for Posterior synechiae (iris), left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.543 for Posterior synechiae (iris), bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.549 for Posterior synechiae (iris), unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H21.55 for Recession of chamber angle - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.551 for Recession of chamber angle, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.552 for Recession of chamber angle, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.553 for Recession of chamber angle, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.559 for Recession of chamber angle, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • H21.56 for Pupillary abnormalities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.561 for Pupillary abnormality, right eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.562 for Pupillary abnormality, left eye - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.563 for Pupillary abnormality, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H21.569 for Pupillary abnormality, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

Patient Education


Eye Diseases

Some eye problems are minor and don't last long. But some can lead to a permanent loss of vision.

Common eye problems include:

  • Refractive errors
  • Cataracts - clouded lenses
  • Optic nerve disorders, including glaucoma
  • Retinal disorders - problems with the nerve layer at the back of the eye
  • Macular degeneration - a disease that destroys sharp, central vision
  • Diabetic eye problems
  • Conjunctivitis - an infection also known as pink eye

Your best defense is to have regular checkups, because eye diseases do not always have symptoms. Early detection and treatment could prevent vision loss. See an eye care professional right away if you have a sudden change in vision, if everything looks dim, or if you see flashes of light. Other symptoms that need quick attention are pain, double vision, fluid coming from the eye, and inflammation.

NIH: National Eye Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • 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.