2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H46Optic neuritis

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H46-H47›H46

ICD-10-CM H46
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

H46 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for optic neuritis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as H46.00, H46.01, H46.02, and H46.03.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H46
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Optic neuritis
Short Description
Optic neuritis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
H46-H47
Disorders of optic nerve and visual pathways

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH46-H47Disorders of optic nerve and visual pathways
CategoryH46Optic neuritis
This CodeH46Optic neuritis

Specific Coding for Optic neuritisOverview

Non-specific codes like H46 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • H46.0 for Optic papillitis

  • Use H46.00 for Optic papillitis, unspecified eye

  • Use H46.01 for Optic papillitis, right eye

  • Use H46.02 for Optic papillitis, left eye

  • Use H46.03 for Optic papillitis, bilateral

  • H46.1 for Retrobulbar neuritis

  • Use H46.10 for Retrobulbar neuritis, unspecified eye

  • Use H46.11 for Retrobulbar neuritis, right eye

  • Use H46.12 for Retrobulbar neuritis, left eye

  • Use H46.13 for Retrobulbar neuritis, bilateral

  • Use H46.2 for Nutritional optic neuropathy

  • Use H46.3 for Toxic optic neuropathy

  • Use H46.8 for Other optic neuritis

  • Use H46.9 for Unspecified optic neuritis

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H46: 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.

On H46 itself
  • ischemic optic neuropathy (H47.01-)
  • neuromyelitis optica [Devic] (G36.0)
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 H46, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming H46: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • G36.0 Neuromyelitis optica [Devic]
    optic neuritis NOS (H46)
  • G52 Disorders of other cranial nerves
    disorders of optic [2nd] nerve (H46, H47.0)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Optic Neuritis

    inflammation of the optic nerve. commonly associated conditions include autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, infections, and granulomatous diseases. clinical features include retro-orbital pain that is aggravated by eye movement, loss of color vision, and contrast sensitivity that may progress to severe visual loss, an afferent pupillary defect (marcus-gunn pupil), and in some instances optic disc hyperemia and swelling. inflammation may occur in the portion of the nerve within the globe (neuropapillitis or anterior optic neuritis) or the portion behind the globe (retrobulbar neuritis or posterior optic neuritis).

Patient EducationClinical

Optic Nerve Disorders

The optic nerve is a bundle of more than 1 million nerve fibers that carry visual messages. You have one connecting the back of each eye (your retina) to your brain. Damage to an optic nerve can cause vision loss. The type of vision loss and how severe it is depends on where the damage occurs. It may affect one or both eyes.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

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 H46Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for optic neuritis?

H46 is the ICD-10-CM category for optic neuritis, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is H46 (Optic neuritis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for optic neuritis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for optic neuritis need a more specific code from this category, such as H46.00, H46.01, and H46.02.