2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H53Visual disturbances

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H53-H54›H53

ICD-10-CM H53
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H53 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for visual disturbances, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as H53.001, H53.002, H53.003, and H53.009.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H53
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Visual disturbances
Chapter
H53-H54
Visual disturbances and blindness

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH53-H54Visual disturbances and blindness
CategoryH53Visual disturbances
This CodeH53Visual disturbances

Specific Coding for Visual disturbancesOverview

Non-specific codes like H53 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • H53.0 for Amblyopia ex anopsia

  • H53.00 for Unspecified amblyopia

  • H53.01 for Deprivation amblyopia

  • H53.02 for Refractive amblyopia

  • H53.03 for Strabismic amblyopia

  • H53.04 for Amblyopia suspect

  • H53.1 for Subjective visual disturbances

  • Use H53.10 for Unspecified subjective visual disturbances

  • Use H53.11 for Day blindness

  • H53.12 for Transient visual loss

  • H53.13 for Sudden visual loss

  • H53.14 for Visual discomfort

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

  • Use H53.16 for Psychophysical visual disturbances

  • Use H53.19 for Other subjective visual disturbances

  • Use H53.2 for Diplopia

  • H53.3 for Other and unspecified disorders of binocular vision

  • Use H53.30 for Unspecified disorder of binocular vision

  • Use H53.31 for Abnormal retinal correspondence

  • Use H53.32 for Fusion with defective stereopsis

  • Use H53.33 for Simultaneous visual perception without fusion

  • Use H53.34 for Suppression of binocular vision

  • H53.4 for Visual field defects

  • Use H53.40 for Unspecified visual field defects

  • H53.41 for Scotoma involving central area

  • H53.42 for Scotoma of blind spot area

  • H53.43 for Sector or arcuate defects

  • H53.45 for Other localized visual field defect

  • H53.46 for Homonymous bilateral field defects

  • Use H53.47 for Heteronymous bilateral field defects

  • H53.48 for Generalized contraction of visual field

  • H53.5 for Color vision deficiencies

  • Use H53.50 for Unspecified color vision deficiencies

  • Use H53.51 for Achromatopsia

  • Use H53.52 for Acquired color vision deficiency

  • Use H53.53 for Deuteranomaly

  • Use H53.54 for Protanomaly

  • Use H53.55 for Tritanomaly

  • Use H53.59 for Other color vision deficiencies

  • H53.6 for Night blindness

  • Use H53.60 for Unspecified night blindness

  • Use H53.61 for Abnormal dark adaptation curve

  • Use H53.62 for Acquired night blindness

  • Use H53.63 for Congenital night blindness

  • Use H53.69 for Other night blindness

  • H53.7 for Vision sensitivity deficiencies

  • Use H53.71 for Glare sensitivity

  • Use H53.72 for Impaired contrast sensitivity

  • Use H53.8 for Other visual disturbances

  • Use H53.9 for Unspecified visual disturbance

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.

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 H53Overview

Is H53 (Visual disturbances) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for visual disturbances, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for visual disturbances need a more specific code from this category, such as H53.001, H53.002, and H53.003.