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  6. 2026 ICD-10-CM Code H53

2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H53

Visual disturbances

ICD-10-CM Code:
H53
ICD-10 Code for:
Visual disturbances
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

H53 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of visual disturbances. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2026 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Visual disturbances

Non-specific codes like H53 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for visual disturbances:

  • H53.0 for Amblyopia ex anopsia - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.00 for Unspecified amblyopia - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.01 for Deprivation amblyopia - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.02 for Refractive amblyopia - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.03 for Strabismic amblyopia - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.04 for Amblyopia suspect - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.1 for Subjective visual disturbances - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.10 for Unspecified subjective visual disturbances - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.11 for Day blindness - BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.12 for Transient visual loss - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.13 for Sudden visual loss - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.14 for Visual discomfort - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.15 for Visual distortions of shape and size - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.16 for Psychophysical visual disturbances - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.19 for Other subjective visual disturbances - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.2 for Diplopia - BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.3 for Other and unspecified disorders of binocular vision - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.30 for Unspecified disorder of binocular vision - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.31 for Abnormal retinal correspondence - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.32 for Fusion with defective stereopsis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.33 for Simultaneous visual perception without fusion - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.34 for Suppression of binocular vision - BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.4 for Visual field defects - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.40 for Unspecified visual field defects - BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.41 for Scotoma involving central area - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.42 for Scotoma of blind spot area - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.43 for Sector or arcuate defects - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.45 for Other localized visual field defect - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.46 for Homonymous bilateral field defects - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.47 for Heteronymous bilateral field defects - BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.48 for Generalized contraction of visual field - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.5 for Color vision deficiencies - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.50 for Unspecified color vision deficiencies - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.51 for Achromatopsia - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.52 for Acquired color vision deficiency - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.53 for Deuteranomaly - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.54 for Protanomaly - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.55 for Tritanomaly - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.59 for Other color vision deficiencies - BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.6 for Night blindness - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.60 for Unspecified night blindness - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.61 for Abnormal dark adaptation curve - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.62 for Acquired night blindness - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.63 for Congenital night blindness - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.69 for Other night blindness - BILLABLE CODE

  • H53.7 for Vision sensitivity deficiencies - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.71 for Glare sensitivity - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.72 for Impaired contrast sensitivity - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.8 for Other visual disturbances - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H53.9 for Unspecified visual disturbance - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the eye and adnexa
    H00–H59
    • Visual disturbances and blindness
      H53-H54
      • Visual disturbances
        H53

Patient Education


Vision Impairment and Blindness

What is vision impairment?

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. Low vision can't be fixed with glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery.

What causes vision impairment?

Aging doesn't cause vision loss on its own. But many diseases that are more common in older adults can cause it. The leading causes of low vision and blindness in the United States are age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Other eye disorders, eye injuries, and birth defects can also cause vision loss.

How is vision impairment diagnosed?

Vision impairment is diagnosed with a dilated eye exam. Early warning signs of a vision problem can include not being able to see well enough to:

  • Do everyday tasks like reading and driving
  • Recognize people's faces
  • Tell the difference between colors
  • See the television or computer screen clearly

You can have these symptoms even though you are wearing glasses or contacts.

What are the types of low vision?

There are several types of low vision. Which type you have depends on the condition that caused your low vision.

Common types of low vision include:

  • Central vision loss (not being able to see things in the center of your vision)
  • Peripheral (side) vision loss (not being able to see things out of the corners of your eyes)
  • Night blindness (not being able to see in low light)
  • Blurry or hazy vision

What are the treatments for low vision?

Low vision is permanent. Glasses, medicine, and surgery can't cure low vision. But sometimes they can improve your vision, help you do everyday activities more easily, or keep your remaining vision.

Your treatment options will depend on the condition that caused your low vision. Ask your eye doctor which treatments might help you. They may recommend vision aids or vision rehabilitation, which might make everyday activities easier.

Vision rehabilitation teaches you how to live with your vision loss. It may include:

  • Showing you how to use a magnifying device or screen readers for reading
  • Helping you set up your home so you can move around more easily
  • Employment and job training
  • Assistive devices, like lighting and reading stands

Your provider may suggest other resources, such as transportation and household services, to help you cope with your vision loss.

How can I make the most of my remaining sight?

The sooner vision loss or eye disease is found and treated, the greater your chances of keeping your remaining vision. Whatever the cause, lost vision cannot be restored. But it can be managed. A loss of vision means you may have to reorganize your life and learn new ways of doing things. Your provider may make suggestions to help make life easier. These may include:

If you have some vision:

  • Visual aids such as magnifiers
  • Telescopic glasses or monoculars for seeing distance
  • Large print books
  • Clocks with larger numbers
  • Brighter lights
  • Anti-glare sunglasses or glare shields

If you have no vision (blindness):

  • Devices like text-reading software and braille books

Can vision impairment be prevented?

You can help take care of your vision by:

  • Having regular comprehensive eye exams by an eye care professional
  • Wearing sunglasses and protective eyewear to protect your eyes
  • Making lifestyle changes to lower your risk of health conditions that can cause vision problems:
    • Getting regular physical activity
    • Staying at a healthy weight
    • Quitting smoking (or not starting)
    • Eating a healthy diet

NIH: National Eye Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
  • FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.