Version 2024
Replaced Code

2024 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:

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)

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 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 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

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

Replaced Code

This code was replaced in the 2024 ICD-10-CM code set with the code(s) listed below. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has published an update to the ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes which became effective October 1, 2023. This code was replaced for the FY 2024 (October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2024).


  • W44.8XXA - Other foreign body entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.8XXD - Other foreign body entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.8XXS - Other foreign body entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.9XXA - Unspecified foreign body entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.9XXD - Unspecified foreign body entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.9XXS - Unspecified fb entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.A0XA - Battery unspecified, entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.A0XD - Battery unspecified, entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.A0XS - Battery unspecified, entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.A1XA - Button battery entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.A1XD - Button battery entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.A1XS - Button battery entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.A9XA - Other batteries entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.A9XD - Other batteries entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.A9XS - Other batteries entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.B0XA - Plastic object unsp, entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.B0XD - Plastic object unsp, entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.B0XS - Plastic object unsp, entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.B1XA - Plastic bead entering via natural orifice, initial encounter
  • W44.B1XD - Plastic bead entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.B1XS - Plastic bead entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.B2XA - Plastic coin entering via natural orifice, initial encounter
  • W44.B2XD - Plastic coin entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.B2XS - Plastic coin entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.B3XA - Plastic toy and toy part entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.B3XD - Plastic toy and toy part entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.B3XS - Plastic toy entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.B4XA - Plastic jewelry entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.B4XD - Plastic jewelry entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.B4XS - Plastic jewelry entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.B5XA - Plastic bottle entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.B5XD - Plastic bottle entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.B5XS - Plastic bottle entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.B9XA - Other plastic object entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.B9XD - Other plastic object entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.B9XS - Other plastic object entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.C0XA - Glass unspecified, entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.C0XD - Glass unspecified, entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.C0XS - Glass unspecified, entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.C1XA - Sharp glass entering via natural orifice, initial encounter
  • W44.C1XD - Sharp glass entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.C1XS - Sharp glass entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.C2XA - Intact glass entering via natural orifice, initial encounter
  • W44.C2XD - Intact glass entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.C2XS - Intact glass entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.D0XA - Magnet metal object unsp, entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.D0XD - Magnet metal object unsp, entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.D0XS - Magnet metal object unsp, entering via natrl orfc, sequela
  • W44.D1XA - Magnetic metal bead entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.D1XD - Magnetic metal bead entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.D1XS - Magnetic metal bead entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.D2XA - Magnetic metal coin entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.D2XD - Magnetic metal coin entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.D2XS - Magnetic metal coin entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.D3XA - Magnetic metal toy entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.D3XD - Magnetic metal toy entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.D3XS - Magnetic metal toy entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.D4XA - Magnetic metal jewelry entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.D4XD - Magnetic metal jewelry entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.D4XS - Magnetic metal jewelry entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.D9XA - Other magnet metal objects entering via natrl orifice, init
  • W44.D9XD - Other magnet metal objects entering via natrl orifice, subs
  • W44.D9XS - Other magnet metal obj entering via natrl orifice, sequela
  • W44.E0XA - Non-magnetic metal obj unsp, entering via natrl orfc, init
  • W44.E0XD - Non-magnetic metal obj unsp, entering via natrl orfc, subs
  • W44.E0XS - Non-magnetic metal obj unsp, entering via natrl orfc, sqla
  • W44.E1XA - Non-magnetic metal bead entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.E1XD - Non-magnetic metal bead entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.E1XS - Non-magnetic metal bead entering via natrl orifice, sequela
  • W44.E2XA - Non-magnetic metal coin entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.E2XD - Non-magnetic metal coin entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.E2XS - Non-magnetic metal coin entering via natrl orifice, sequela
  • W44.E3XA - Non-magnetic metal toy entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.E3XD - Non-magnetic metal toy entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.E3XS - Non-magnetic metal toy entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.E4XA - Non-magnetic metal jewelry entering via natrl orifice, init
  • W44.E4XD - Non-magnetic metal jewelry entering via natrl orifice, subs
  • W44.E4XS - Non-magnetic metal jewelry entering via natrl orfc, sequela
  • W44.E9XA - Other non-magnetic metal obj entering via natrl orfc, init
  • W44.E9XD - Other non-magnetic metal obj entering via natrl orfc, subs
  • W44.E9XS - Other non-magnetic metal obj entering via natrl orfc, sqla
  • W44.F0XA - Obj natrl or orgic mat unsp, entering via natrl orfc, init
  • W44.F0XD - Obj natrl or orgic mat unsp, entering via natrl orfc, subs
  • W44.F0XS - Obj natrl or orgic mat unsp, entering via natrl orfc, sqla
  • W44.F1XA - Bezoar entering via natural orifice, initial encounter
  • W44.F1XD - Bezoar entering via natural orifice, subsequent encounter
  • W44.F1XS - Bezoar entering into or through a natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.F2XA - Rubber band entering via natural orifice, initial encounter
  • W44.F2XD - Rubber band entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.F2XS - Rubber band entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.F3XA - Food entering via natural orifice, initial encounter
  • W44.F3XD - Food entering via natural orifice, subsequent encounter
  • W44.F3XS - Food entering into or through a natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.F4XA - Insect entering via natural orifice, initial encounter
  • W44.F4XD - Insect entering via natural orifice, subsequent encounter
  • W44.F4XS - Insect entering into or through a natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.F9XA - Oth obj of natrl or orgic mat, entering via natrl orfc, init
  • W44.F9XD - Oth obj of natrl or orgic mat, entering via natrl orfc, subs
  • W44.F9XS - Oth obj of natrl or orgic mat, entering via natrl orfc, sqla
  • W44.G0XA - Other non-organic obj unsp, entering via natrl orifice, init
  • W44.G0XD - Other non-organic obj unsp, entering via natrl orifice, subs
  • W44.G0XS - Other non-organic obj unsp, entering via natrl orfc, sequela
  • W44.G1XA - Audio device entering via natural orifice, initial encounter
  • W44.G1XD - Audio device entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.G1XS - Audio device entering via natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.G2XA - Combin metal and plastic toy entering via natrl orfc, init
  • W44.G2XD - Combin metal and plastic toy entering via natrl orfc, subs
  • W44.G2XS - Combin metal and plastic toy entering via natrl orfc, sqla
  • W44.G3XA - Combin metal & plastic jewelry entering via natrl orfc, init
  • W44.G3XD - Combin metal & plastic jewelry entering via natrl orfc, subs
  • W44.G3XS - Combin metal & plastic jewelry entering via natrl orfc, sqla
  • W44.G9XA - Other non-organic objects entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.G9XD - Other non-organic objects entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.G9XS - Other non-organic obj entering via natrl orifice, sequela
  • W44.H0XA - Other sharp object unsp, entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.H0XD - Other sharp object unsp, entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.H0XS - Other sharp object unsp, entering via natrl orifice, sequela
  • W44.H1XA - Needle entering via natural orifice, initial encounter
  • W44.H1XD - Needle entering via natural orifice, subsequent encounter
  • W44.H1XS - Needle entering into or through a natural orifice, sequela
  • W44.H2XA - Knife, sword or dagger entering via natural orifice, init
  • W44.H2XD - Knife, sword or dagger entering via natural orifice, subs
  • W44.H2XS - Knife, sword or dagger entering via natural orifice, 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.