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  6. 2025 ICD-10-CM Code T15

2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T15

Foreign body on external eye

ICD-10-CM Code:
T15
ICD-10 Code for:
Foreign body on external eye
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

T15 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of foreign body on external eye. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2025 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 Foreign body on external eye

Non-specific codes like T15 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 foreign body on external eye:

  • T15.0 for Foreign body in cornea - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.00 for Foreign body in cornea, unspecified eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.01 for Foreign body in cornea, right eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.02 for Foreign body in cornea, left eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.1 for Foreign body in conjunctival sac - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.10 for Foreign body in conjunctival sac, unspecified eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.11 for Foreign body in conjunctival sac, right eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.12 for Foreign body in conjunctival sac, left eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.8 for Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.80 for Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, unspecified eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.81 for Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, right eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.82 for Foreign body in other and multiple parts of external eye, left eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.9 for Foreign body on external eye, part unspecified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.90 for Foreign body on external eye, part unspecified, unspecified eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.91 for Foreign body on external eye, part unspecified, right eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T15.92 for Foreign body on external eye, part unspecified, left eye - NON-BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    S00–T88
    • Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice
      T15-T19
      • Foreign body on external eye
        T15

Coding Guidelines

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Foreign body on external eye (T15). 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.


Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • foreign body in penetrating wound of orbit and eye ball S05.4 S05.5
  • open wound of eyelid and periocular area S01.1
  • retained foreign body in eyelid H02.8
  • retained old foreign body in penetrating wound of orbit and eye ball H05.5 H44.6 H44.7
  • superficial foreign body of eyelid and periocular area S00.25

7th Character Note

7th Character Note
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T15

7th Character

7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Patient Education


Eye Injuries

The structure of your face helps protect your eyes from injury. Still, injuries can damage your eye, sometimes severely enough that you could lose your vision. Most eye injuries are preventable. If you play sports or work in certain jobs, you may need protection.

The most common type of injury happens when something irritates the outer surface of your eye. Certain jobs such as industrial jobs or hobbies such as carpentry make this type of injury more likely. It's also more likely if you wear contact lenses.

Chemicals or heat can burn your eyes. With chemicals, the pain may cause you to close your eyes. This traps the irritant next to the eye and may cause more damage. You should wash out your eye right away while you wait for medical help.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Foreign Bodies

If you've ever gotten a splinter or had sand in your eye, you've had experience with a foreign body. A foreign body is something that is stuck inside you but isn't supposed to be there. You may inhale or swallow a foreign body, or you may get one from an injury to almost any part of your body. Foreign bodies are more common in small children, who sometimes stick things in their mouths, ears, and noses.

Some foreign bodies, like a small splinter, do not cause serious harm. Inhaled or swallowed foreign bodies may cause choking or bowel obstruction and may require medical care.


[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.