Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code S04.0

Injury of optic nerve and pathways

ICD-10-CM Code:
S04.0
ICD-10 Code for:
Injury of optic nerve and pathways
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Injuries to the head
      (S00-S09)
      • Injury of cranial nerve
        (S04)

S04.0 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of injury of optic nerve and pathways. 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 Injury of optic nerve and pathways

Non-specific codes like S04.0 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 injury of optic nerve and pathways:

  • S04.01 for Injury of optic nerve - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S04.011 for Injury of optic nerve, right eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.011A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.011D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.011S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S04.012 for Injury of optic nerve, left eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.012A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.012D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.012S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S04.019 for Injury of optic nerve, unspecified eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.019A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.019D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.019S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S04.02 for Injury of optic chiasm - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.02XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.02XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.02XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S04.03 for Injury of optic tract and pathways - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S04.031 for Injury of optic tract and pathways, right side - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.031A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.031D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.031S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S04.032 for Injury of optic tract and pathways, left side - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.032A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.032D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.032S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S04.039 for Injury of optic tract and pathways, unspecified side - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.039A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.039D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.039S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S04.04 for Injury of visual cortex - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • S04.041 for Injury of visual cortex, right side - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.041A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.041D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.041S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S04.042 for Injury of visual cortex, left side - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.042A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.042D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.042S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • S04.049 for Injury of visual cortex, unspecified side - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.049A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.049D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use S04.049S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Injury of cranial nerve (S04). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

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.


Use Additional Code

Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
  • code to identify any visual field defect or blindness H53.4 H54

Patient Education


Optic Nerve Disorders

The optic nerve is a bundle of more than 1 million nerve fibers that carry visual messages. You have one connecting the back of each eye (your retina) to your brain. Damage to an optic nerve can cause vision loss. The type of vision loss and how severe it is depends on where the damage occurs. It may affect one or both eyes.

There are many different types of optic nerve disorders, including:

  • Glaucoma is a group of diseases that are the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma usually happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises and damages the optic nerve.
  • Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve. Causes include infections and immune-related illnesses such as multiple sclerosis. Sometimes the cause is unknown.
  • Optic nerve atrophy is damage to the optic nerve. Causes include poor blood flow to the eye, disease, trauma, or exposure to toxic substances.
  • Optic nerve head drusen are pockets of protein and calcium salts that build up in the optic nerve over time

Contact your health care provider if you are having vision problems. Tests for optic nerve disorders may include eye exams, ophthalmoscopy (an examination of the back of your eye), and imaging tests. Treatment depends on which disorder that you have. With some optic nerve disorders, you may get your vision back. With others, there is no treatment, or treatment may only prevent further vision loss.


[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.