Nystagmus and other irregular eye movements (H55)
The ICD-10 code section H55 is specifically used to classify various types of nystagmus and irregular eye movements. These codes precisely identify different forms of involuntary eye motion, helping healthcare professionals document, diagnose, and bill for these distinct eye movement disorders.
This section covers a range of conditions including nystagmus (H55.0), which is a repetitive, uncontrolled eye movement often described by terms like "manifest nystagmus" or "idiopathic nystagmus." More detailed codes such as H55.00 specify unspecified nystagmus, while H55.01 identifies congenital nystagmus, known also as "congenital periodic alternating nystagmus" or "pendular nystagmus." Other specific types include latent nystagmus (H55.02), visual deprivation nystagmus (H55.03), and dissociated nystagmus (H55.04). The code H55.09 encompasses other forms like vertical, gaze-evoked, and acquired nystagmus. Additionally, irregular eye movements outside typical nystagmus, such as deficient saccadic eye movements (H55.81) and deficient smooth pursuit movements (H55.82), are included under H55.8 codes. These detailed distinctions assist in selecting the exact diagnostic code for billing and clinical records for disorders involving involuntary or abnormal eye movement patterns.
Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00–H59)
Other disorders of eye and adnexa (H55-H57)
H55 Nystagmus and other irregular eye movements
H55.0 Nystagmus
- H55.00 Unspecified nystagmus
- H55.01 Congenital nystagmus
- H55.02 Latent nystagmus
- H55.03 Visual deprivation nystagmus
- H55.04 Dissociated nystagmus
- H55.09 Other forms of nystagmus
H55.8 Other irregular eye movements
- H55.81 Deficient saccadic eye movements
- H55.82 Deficient smooth pursuit eye movements
- H55.89 Other irregular eye movements
Nystagmus and other irregular eye movements (H55)
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.
Essential Tremor
A relatively common disorder characterized by a fairly specific pattern of tremors which are most prominent in the upper extremities and neck, inducing titubations of the head. The tremor is usually mild, but when severe may be disabling. An autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance may occur in some families (i.e., familial tremor). (Mov Disord 1988;13(1):5-10)
