2026 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 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

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
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

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Code First

  • any associated underlying cause of the blindness

Type 1 Excludes

  • For definition of visual impairment categories see table below

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About H54Overview

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.