Corneal scars and opacities (H17)
The ICD-10 code section H17 covers various types of corneal scars and opacities, conditions affecting the clear front surface of the eye that can impair vision. These codes specify the nature and location of scarring or cloudiness, such as adherent leukoma or central corneal opacity.
Codes under H17 help medical professionals document specific corneal conditions like adherent leukoma (also called corneal leukoma or scar of the cornea) and central corneal opacity, which interfere with vision by causing cloudiness on the cornea. Additional codes describe minor opacities, peripheral opacities, or unspecified corneal scars. Laterality is often captured, distinguishing whether the right eye, left eye, or both eyes are affected. Using these detailed codes aids precise diagnosis and treatment planning for patients with visual disturbances related to corneal scarring or haze. For example, the ICD-10 code for adherent leukoma of the right eye is H17.01, while bilateral central corneal opacity is H17.13.
Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00–H59)
Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body (H15-H22)
H17 Corneal scars and opacities
H17.0 Adherent leukoma
- H17.00 Adherent leukoma, unspecified eye
- H17.01 Adherent leukoma, right eye
- H17.02 Adherent leukoma, left eye
- H17.03 Adherent leukoma, bilateral
H17.1 Central corneal opacity
- H17.10 Central corneal opacity, unspecified eye
- H17.11 Central corneal opacity, right eye
- H17.12 Central corneal opacity, left eye
- H17.13 Central corneal opacity, bilateral
H17.8 Other corneal scars and opacities
H17.81 Minor opacity of cornea
- H17.811 Minor opacity of cornea, right eye
- H17.812 Minor opacity of cornea, left eye
- H17.813 Minor opacity of cornea, bilateral
- H17.819 Minor opacity of cornea, unspecified eye
H17.82 Peripheral opacity of cornea
- H17.821 Peripheral opacity of cornea, right eye
- H17.822 Peripheral opacity of cornea, left eye
- H17.823 Peripheral opacity of cornea, bilateral
- H17.829 Peripheral opacity of cornea, unspecified eye
- H17.89 Other corneal scars and opacities
- H17.9 Unspecified corneal scar and opacity
Corneal scars and opacities (H17)
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Corneal Opacity
Disorder occurring in the central or peripheral area of the cornea. The usual degree of transparency becomes relatively opaque.
