H53.149 - Visual discomfort, unspecified

Version 2023
ICD-10:H53.149
Short Description:Visual discomfort, unspecified
Long Description:Visual discomfort, unspecified
Status: Valid for Submission
Version:ICD-10-CM 2023
Code Classification:
  • Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00–H59)
    • Visual disturbances and blindness (H53-H54)
      • Visual disturbances (H53)

H53.149 is a billable ICD-10 code used to specify a medical diagnosis of visual discomfort, unspecified. The code is valid during the fiscal year 2023 from October 01, 2022 through September 30, 2023 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like H53.149 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

Clinical Information

Convert to ICD-9 Code

Source ICD-10 CodeTarget ICD-9 Code
H53.149368.13 - Visual discomfort
Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.

Patient Education


Vision Impairment and Blindness

If you have low vision, eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery may not help. Activities like reading, shopping, cooking, writing, and watching TV may be hard to do. The leading causes of low vision and blindness in the United States are age-related eye diseases: macular degeneration, cataract and glaucoma. Other eye disorders, eye injuries, and birth defects can also cause vision loss.

Whatever the cause, lost vision cannot be restored. It can, however, be managed. A loss of vision means that you may have to reorganize your life and learn new ways of doing things. If you have some vision, visual aids such as special glasses and large print books can make life easier. There are also devices to help those with no vision, like text-reading software and braille books.

The sooner vision loss or eye disease is found and treated, the greater your chances of keeping your remaining vision. You should have regular comprehensive eye exams by an eye care professional.

NIH: National Eye Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History