2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H53.50Unspecified color vision deficiencies

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H53-H54›H53

ICD-10-CM H53.50
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H53.50 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified color vision deficiencies. 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. Coders also document this condition as abnormal color vision. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Blindness and vision defects.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H53.50
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified color vision deficiencies
Short Description
Unspecified color vision deficiencies
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H53.5
Color vision deficiencies

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH53-H54Visual disturbances and blindness
CategoryH53Visual disturbances
This CodeH53.50Unspecified color vision deficiencies

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Abnormal color vision
  • Color blindness
  • Color vision below statutory standard
  • Color vision deficiency
  • Congenital color blindness
  • Finding of color vision
  • Reduced color discrimination

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Color blindness NOS

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Deficiency, deficient
      • color vision

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR EYE010
Blindness and vision defects
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Color Blindness

Most of us see our world in color. We enjoy looking at a lush green lawn or a red rose in full bloom. If you have a color vision defect, you may see these colors differently than most people.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert H53.50 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
368.59 Color deficiency NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 H53.50Overview

Is H53.50 (Color vision deficiencies) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified color vision deficiencies on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does H53.50 group to?

When unspecified color vision deficiencies 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 H53.50?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified color vision deficiencies converts to ICD-9-CM 368.59 (color deficiency NEC). 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.