2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H46Optic neuritis

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H46-H47›H46

ICD-10-CM H46
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

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

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Type 2 Excludes

  • ischemic optic neuropathy H47.01
  • neuromyelitis optica Devic G36.0

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).

  • Multiple Sclerosis

    an autoimmune disorder mainly affecting young adults and characterized by destruction of myelin in the central nervous system. pathologic findings include multiple sharply demarcated areas of demyelination throughout the white matter of the central nervous system. clinical manifestations include visual loss, extra-ocular movement disorders, paresthesias, loss of sensation, weakness, dysarthria, spasticity, ataxia, and bladder dysfunction. the usual pattern is one of recurrent attacks followed by partial recovery (see multiple sclerosis, relapsing-remitting), but acute fulminating and chronic progressive forms (see multiple sclerosis, chronic progressive) also occur. (adams et al., principles of neurology, 6th ed, p903)

  • Grade 1 Optic Neuritis, CTCAE

    asymptomatic or mild symptoms; only enhancement on mri scan with no change in vision

  • Grade 2 Optic Neuritis, CTCAE

    treatment indicated; best corrected visual acuity 20/40 and better or 3 lines or less decreased vision from known baseline in the affected eye; limiting instrumental adl or mild/moderate impact on age-appropriate normal daily activity (pediatric)

  • Grade 3 Optic Neuritis, CTCAE

    severe or medically significant but not immediately sight-threatening; decrease in visual acuity (best corrected visual acuity worse than 20/40 or more than 3 lines of decreased vision from known baseline, up to 20/200) in the affected eye; oral steroids indicated; limiting self-care adl or severe impact on age-appropriate normal daily activity (pediatric)

  • Grade 4 Optic Neuritis, CTCAE

    sight-threatening consequences; urgent intervention indicated; best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the affected eye: significant visual field loss; marked optic disc edema or enhancement on mri scan; intravenous steroids indicated; blindness

  • Optic Neuritis, CTCAE

    a disorder characterized by inflammation and demyelination of the optic nerve that causes acute, usually monocular, visual loss.

  • Optic Neuritis

    a disorder characterized by inflammation of the optic nerve. causes include autoimmune disorders, infections, toxins, drugs, and multiple sclerosis. it may manifest with acute loss of vision and pain.

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About H46Overview

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.