2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H47.9Unspecified disorder of visual pathways

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H46-H47›H47

ICD-10-CM H47.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

H47.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified disorder of visual pathways. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 91 through 93. Coders also document this condition as disorder of left visual pathway. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Neuro-ophthalmology.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H47.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified disorder of visual pathways
Short Description
Unspecified disorder of visual pathways
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H47
Other disorders of optic [2nd] nerve and visual pathways

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH46-H47Disorders of optic nerve and visual pathways
CategoryH47Other disorders of optic [2nd] nerve and visual pathways
This CodeH47.9Unspecified disorder of visual pathways

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Disorder of left visual pathway
  • Disorder of optic radiation
  • Disorder of optic tract
  • Disorder of right visual pathway
  • Disorder of visual cortex
  • Disorder of visual pathways

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H47.9: 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.

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.

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR EYE006
Neuro-ophthalmology
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Vision Impairment and Blindness

Vision impairment is the loss of vision. It includes blindness, which means that you have lost all or most of your sight. It also includes low vision, which means you have some vision, but the vision loss makes it hard to do everyday activities. You may have trouble reading, shopping, cooking, writing, and watching TV.

The full article covers:

  • What is vision impairment?
  • What causes vision impairment?
  • How is vision impairment diagnosed?
  • What are the types of low vision?
  • What are the treatments for low vision?
  • How can I make the most of my remaining sight?
  • Can vision impairment be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert H47.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
377.9 Optic nerve disorder 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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About H47.9Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for unspecified disorder of visual pathways?

The ICD-10-CM code for unspecified disorder of visual pathways is H47.9 (sometimes written as H479). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is H47.9 (Other disorders of optic [2nd] nerve and visual pathways) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified disorder of visual pathways on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does H47.9 group to?

When unspecified disorder of visual pathways is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 91, 92, 93, with relative weights from 0.7783 to 1.7050 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of H47.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified disorder of visual pathways converts to ICD-9-CM 377.9 (optic nerve disorder NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.