2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H53.149Visual discomfort, unspecified
ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H53-H54›H53
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
H53.149 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for visual discomfort, unspecified. 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 Blindness and vision defects.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Accommodative asthenopia
- Cutaneous syndrome with ichthyosis
- Eye strain
- Eyes sensitive to light
- Eyes tire easily
- General reaction to light - finding
- Ichthyosis follicularis with alopecia and photophobia
- Muscular asthenopia
- Nervous asthenopia
- Pain in eye
- Photophobia
- Visual discomfort
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Photophobia
abnormal sensitivity to light. this may occur as a manifestation of eye diseases; migraine; subarachnoid hemorrhage; meningitis; and other disorders. photophobia may also occur in association with depression and other mental disorders.Visual Discomfort
adverse effects experienced with normal viewing, which may include eye strain, blurred vision, and diplopia.
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.
Convert H53.149 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About H53.149Overview
Is H53.149 (Visual discomfort) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report visual discomfort, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does H53.149 group to?
When visual discomfort, unspecified 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 H53.149?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, visual discomfort, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 368.13 (visual discomfort). 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.
