2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H53Visual disturbances

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H53-H54›H53

ICD-10-CM H53
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

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
Short Description
Visual disturbances
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
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

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H53: 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.

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Visual Disturbance

    an interference to normal eyesight.

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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About H53Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for visual disturbances?

H53 is the ICD-10-CM category for visual disturbances, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

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.