2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H53.72Impaired contrast sensitivity

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H53-H54›H53

ICD-10-CM H53.72
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

H53.72 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for impaired contrast sensitivity. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 124 through 125. Coders also document this condition as impairment of visual contrast sensitivity. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Blindness and vision defects.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H53.72
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Impaired contrast sensitivity
Short Description
Impaired contrast sensitivity
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H53.7
Vision sensitivity deficiencies

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH53-H54Visual disturbances and blindness
CategoryH53Visual disturbances
This CodeH53.72Impaired contrast sensitivity

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Impairment of visual contrast sensitivity

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H53.72: 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.

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

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

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.

Convert H53.72 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
368.8 Visual disturbances 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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About H53.72Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for impaired contrast sensitivity?

The ICD-10-CM code for impaired contrast sensitivity is H53.72 (sometimes written as H5372). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is H53.72 (Vision sensitivity deficiencies) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report impaired contrast sensitivity on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does H53.72 group to?

When impaired contrast sensitivity is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 125, 124, with relative weights from 0.7699 to 1.2470 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of H53.72?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, impaired contrast sensitivity converts to ICD-9-CM 368.8 (visual disturbances NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.