2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H44.22Degenerative myopia, left eye

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H43-H44›H44

ICD-10-CM H44.22
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H44.22 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for degenerative myopia, left 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. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified eye disorders.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H44.22
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Degenerative myopia, left eye
Short Description
Degenerative myopia, left eye
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H44.2
Degenerative myopia

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH43-H44Disorders of vitreous body and globe
CategoryH44Disorders of globe
This CodeH44.22Degenerative myopia, left eye

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Degenerative myopia of left eye
  • Degenerative progressive high myopia
  • Degenerative progressive high myopia of left eye
  • Forster-Fuchs' spot
  • Forster-Fuchs spot of left eye
  • Myopia of left eye
  • Myopic macular degeneration
  • Myopic macular degeneration of left eye

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.

    • Myopia(axial) (congenital)
      • degenerative (malignant)
        • left eye

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR EYE012
Other specified eye disorders
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Refractive Errors

The cornea and lens of your eye helps you focus. Refractive errors are vision problems that happen when the shape of the eye keeps you from focusing well. The cause could be the length of the eyeball (longer or shorter), changes in the shape of the cornea, or aging of the lens.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert H44.22 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
360.21 Progressive high myopia
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 H44.22Overview

Is H44.22 (Degenerative myopia) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does H44.22 group to?

When degenerative myopia, left 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 H44.22?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, degenerative myopia, left eye converts to ICD-9-CM 360.21 (progressive high myopia). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.