2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H54Blindness and low vision

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H53-H54›H54

ICD-10-CM H54
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

H54 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for blindness and low vision, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as H54.0X33, H54.0X34, H54.0X35, and H54.0X43.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H54
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Blindness and low vision
Short Description
Blindness and low vision
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
CategoryH54Blindness and low vision
This CodeH54Blindness and low vision

Specific Coding for Blindness and low visionOverview

Non-specific codes like H54 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • H54.0 for Blindness, both eyes

  • H54.0X for Blindness, both eyes, different category levels

  • H54.1 for Blindness, one eye, low vision other eye

  • Use H54.10 for Blindness, one eye, low vision other eye, unspecified eyes

  • H54.11 for Blindness, right eye, low vision left eye

  • H54.12 for Blindness, left eye, low vision right eye

  • H54.2 for Low vision, both eyes

  • H54.2X for Low vision, both eyes, different category levels

  • Use H54.3 for Unqualified visual loss, both eyes

  • H54.4 for Blindness, one eye

  • Use H54.40 for Blindness, one eye, unspecified eye

  • H54.41 for Blindness, right eye, normal vision left eye

  • H54.42 for Blindness, left eye, normal vision right eye

  • H54.5 for Low vision, one eye

  • Use H54.50 for Low vision, one eye, unspecified eye

  • H54.51 for Low vision, right eye, normal vision left eye

  • H54.52 for Low vision, left eye, normal vision right eye

  • H54.6 for Unqualified visual loss, one eye

  • Use H54.60 for Unqualified visual loss, one eye, unspecified

  • Use H54.61 for Unqualified visual loss, right eye, normal vision left eye

  • Use H54.62 for Unqualified visual loss, left eye, normal vision right eye

  • Use H54.7 for Unspecified visual loss

  • Use H54.8 for Legal blindness, as defined in USA

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H54: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 7. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

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)

Code First

The underlying condition named in the note is sequenced before this code.

  • any associated underlying cause of the blindness

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

On H54 itself
  • For definition of visual impairment categories see table below
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.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name H54, its category, or a range that includes it.

Applicable To 1

These notes mention H54.

  • Z82.1 Family history of blindness and visual loss
    Conditions classifiable to H54.-

Use Additional Code 1

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and H54 is one of the codes named.

  • S04.0 Injury of optic nerve and pathways
    code to identify any visual field defect or blindness (H53.4-, H54.-)

Notes 1

These notes mention H54.

  • H54.8 Legal blindness, as defined in USA
    The term 'low vision' in category H54 comprises categories 1 and 2 of the table, the term 'blindness' categories 3, 4 and 5, and the term 'unqualified visual loss' category 9.

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 H54Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for blindness and low vision?

H54 is the ICD-10-CM category for blindness and low vision, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is H54 (Blindness and low vision) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for blindness and low vision, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for blindness and low vision need a more specific code from this category, such as H54.0X33, H54.0X34, and H54.0X35.

Can H54 be reported with G45.3?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on H54 lists "amaurosis fugax (G45.3)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

What is coded first with H54?

The Code First note reads: any associated underlying cause of the blindness. When one of these applies, it is sequenced before H54.