2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H54
Blindness and low vision
- ICD-10-CM Code:
- H54
- ICD-10 Code for:
- Blindness and low vision
- Is Billable?
- Not Valid for Submission
- Code Navigator:
H54 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of blindness and low vision. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.
Specific Coding Applicable to Blindness and low vision
Non-specific codes like H54 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for blindness and low vision:
H54.0 for Blindness, both eyes - NON-BILLABLE CODE
H54.0X for Blindness, both eyes, different category levels - NON-BILLABLE CODE
H54.1 for Blindness, one eye, low vision other eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE
Use H54.10 for Blindness, one eye, low vision other eye, unspecified eyes - BILLABLE CODE
H54.11 for Blindness, right eye, low vision left eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE
H54.12 for Blindness, left eye, low vision right eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE
H54.2 for Low vision, both eyes - NON-BILLABLE CODE
H54.2X for Low vision, both eyes, different category levels - NON-BILLABLE CODE
Use H54.3 for Unqualified visual loss, both eyes - BILLABLE CODE
H54.4 for Blindness, one eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE
Use H54.40 for Blindness, one eye, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE
H54.41 for Blindness, right eye, normal vision left eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE
H54.42 for Blindness, left eye, normal vision right eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE
H54.5 for Low vision, one eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE
Use H54.50 for Low vision, one eye, unspecified eye - BILLABLE CODE
H54.51 for Low vision, right eye, normal vision left eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE
H54.52 for Low vision, left eye, normal vision right eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE
H54.6 for Unqualified visual loss, one eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE
Use H54.60 for Unqualified visual loss, one eye, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE
Use H54.61 for Unqualified visual loss, right eye, normal vision left eye - BILLABLE CODE
Use H54.62 for Unqualified visual loss, left eye, normal vision right eye - BILLABLE CODE
Use H54.7 for Unspecified visual loss - BILLABLE CODE
Use H54.8 for Legal blindness, as defined in USA - BILLABLE CODE
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.
Code First
Code FirstCertain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.
- any associated underlying cause of the blindness
Type 1 Excludes
Type 1 ExcludesA type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
- amaurosis fugax G45.3
- For definition of visual impairment categories see table below
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
- FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
- FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
- FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
- FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
- FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
- FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
- FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
- FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
- FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.