2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H51.0Palsy (spasm) of conjugate gaze

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H49-H52›H51

ICD-10-CM H51.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H51.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for palsy (spasm) of conjugate gaze. 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
H51.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Palsy (spasm) of conjugate gaze
Short Description
Palsy (spasm) of conjugate gaze
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H51
Other disorders of binocular movement

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH49-H52Disorders of ocular muscles, binocular movement, accommodation and refraction
CategoryH51Other disorders of binocular movement
This CodeH51.0Palsy (spasm) of conjugate gaze

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acquired horizontal gaze palsy
  • Alternating skew deviation
  • Combined paralysis of upgaze and downgaze
  • Congenital horizontal gaze palsy
  • Dissociated gaze palsy
  • Dysconjugate gaze
  • Horizontal dissociated gaze palsy
  • Horizontal gaze palsy
  • Horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis
  • Horizontal gaze preference
  • Horizontal spasm of gaze
  • Intermittent horizontal conjugate gaze deviation
  • Intermittent upward gaze deviation
  • Isolated acquired horizontal gaze palsy
  • Isolated congenital horizontal gaze paresis
  • Palsy of conjugate gaze
  • Paralysis of downgaze
  • Paralysis of upgaze
  • Parinaud's syndrome
  • Periodic alternating gaze deviation
  • Pontine one and a half syndrome
  • Skew deviation
  • Spasm of conjugate gaze
  • Supranuclear gaze palsy
  • Supranuclear paralysis
  • Sustained horizontal conjugate gaze deviation
  • Sustained horizontal conjugate gaze deviation, contralateral type
  • Sustained horizontal conjugate gaze deviation, ipsilateral type
  • Sustained upward gaze deviation
  • Upward gaze deviation
  • Vertical gaze palsy
  • Vertical one-and-a-half syndrome

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.

    • Deviation(in)
      • conjugate palsy (eye) (spastic)
    • Disorder(of)
      • binocular
        • movement
          • palsy of conjugate gaze
    • Elevated, elevation
      • conjugate, eye
    • Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)
      • conjugate movement (gaze) (of eye)
    • Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)
      • conjugate movement (gaze) (of eye)
        • cortical (nuclear) (supranuclear)
    • Paralysis, paralytic(complete) (incomplete)
      • gaze, conjugate
    • Syndrome
      • Parinaud's

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

Eye Movement Disorders

When you look at an object, you're using several muscles to move both eyes to focus on it. If you have a problem with the muscles, the eyes don't work properly.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert H51.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
378.81 Palsy of conjugate gaze
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
378.82 Spasm of conjugate gaze
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 H51.0Overview

Is H51.0 (Other disorders of binocular movement) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report palsy (spasm) of conjugate gaze on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does H51.0 group to?

When palsy (spasm) of conjugate gaze 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 H51.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, palsy (spasm) of conjugate gaze converts to ICD-9-CM 378.81 (palsy of conjugate gaze) and 378.82 (spasm of conjugate gaze). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.