Visual disturbances (H53) ICD-10-CM
The H53 code range covers visual disturbances with 106 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 84 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Codes in the H53 Range 106 codes · 84 billable
- H53 Visual disturbancesNon-billable
- H53.0 Amblyopia ex anopsiaNon-billable
- H53.00 Unspecified amblyopiaNon-billable
- H53.001 Unspecified amblyopia, right eye
- H53.002 Unspecified amblyopia, left eye
- H53.003 Unspecified amblyopia, bilateral
- H53.009 Unspecified amblyopia, unspecified eye
- H53.01 Deprivation amblyopiaNon-billable
- H53.011 Deprivation amblyopia, right eye
- H53.012 Deprivation amblyopia, left eye
- H53.013 Deprivation amblyopia, bilateral
- H53.019 Deprivation amblyopia, unspecified eye
- H53.02 Refractive amblyopiaNon-billable
- H53.021 Refractive amblyopia, right eye
- H53.022 Refractive amblyopia, left eye
- H53.023 Refractive amblyopia, bilateral
- H53.029 Refractive amblyopia, unspecified eye
- H53.03 Strabismic amblyopiaNon-billable
- H53.031 Strabismic amblyopia, right eye
- H53.032 Strabismic amblyopia, left eye
- H53.033 Strabismic amblyopia, bilateral
- H53.039 Strabismic amblyopia, unspecified eye
- H53.04 Amblyopia suspectNon-billable
- H53.041 Amblyopia suspect, right eye
- H53.042 Amblyopia suspect, left eye
- H53.043 Amblyopia suspect, bilateral
- H53.049 Amblyopia suspect, unspecified eye
- H53.1 Subjective visual disturbancesNon-billable
- H53.10 Unspecified subjective visual disturbances
- H53.11 Day blindness
- H53.12 Transient visual lossNon-billable
- H53.121 Transient visual loss, right eye
- H53.122 Transient visual loss, left eye
- H53.123 Transient visual loss, bilateral
- H53.129 Transient visual loss, unspecified eye
- H53.13 Sudden visual lossNon-billable
- H53.131 Sudden visual loss, right eye
- H53.132 Sudden visual loss, left eye
- H53.133 Sudden visual loss, bilateral
- H53.139 Sudden visual loss, unspecified eye
- H53.14 Visual discomfortNon-billable
- H53.141 Visual discomfort, right eye
- H53.142 Visual discomfort, left eye
- H53.143 Visual discomfort, bilateral
- H53.149 Visual discomfort, unspecified
- H53.15 Visual distortions of shape and size
- H53.16 Psychophysical visual disturbances
- H53.19 Other subjective visual disturbances
- H53.2 Diplopia
- H53.3 Other and unspecified disorders of binocular visionNon-billable
- H53.30 Unspecified disorder of binocular vision
- H53.31 Abnormal retinal correspondence
- H53.32 Fusion with defective stereopsis
- H53.33 Simultaneous visual perception without fusion
- H53.34 Suppression of binocular vision
- H53.4 Visual field defectsNon-billable
- H53.40 Unspecified visual field defects
- H53.41 Scotoma involving central areaNon-billable
- H53.411 Scotoma involving central area, right eye
- H53.412 Scotoma involving central area, left eye
- H53.413 Scotoma involving central area, bilateral
- H53.419 Scotoma involving central area, unspecified eye
- H53.42 Scotoma of blind spot areaNon-billable
- H53.421 Scotoma of blind spot area, right eye
- H53.422 Scotoma of blind spot area, left eye
- H53.423 Scotoma of blind spot area, bilateral
- H53.429 Scotoma of blind spot area, unspecified eye
- H53.43 Sector or arcuate defectsNon-billable
- H53.431 Sector or arcuate defects, right eye
- H53.432 Sector or arcuate defects, left eye
- H53.433 Sector or arcuate defects, bilateral
- H53.439 Sector or arcuate defects, unspecified eye
- H53.45 Other localized visual field defectNon-billable
- H53.451 Other localized visual field defect, right eye
- H53.452 Other localized visual field defect, left eye
- H53.453 Other localized visual field defect, bilateral
- H53.459 Other localized visual field defect, unspecified eye
- H53.46 Homonymous bilateral field defectsNon-billable
- H53.461 Homonymous bilateral field defects, right side
- H53.462 Homonymous bilateral field defects, left side
- H53.469 Homonymous bilateral field defects, unspecified side
- H53.47 Heteronymous bilateral field defects
- H53.48 Generalized contraction of visual fieldNon-billable
- H53.481 Generalized contraction of visual field, right eye
- H53.482 Generalized contraction of visual field, left eye
- H53.483 Generalized contraction of visual field, bilateral
- H53.489 Generalized contraction of visual field, unspecified eye
- H53.5 Color vision deficienciesNon-billable
- H53.50 Unspecified color vision deficiencies
- H53.51 Achromatopsia
- H53.52 Acquired color vision deficiency
- H53.53 Deuteranomaly
- H53.54 Protanomaly
- H53.55 Tritanomaly
- H53.59 Other color vision deficiencies
- H53.6 Night blindnessNon-billable
- H53.60 Unspecified night blindness
- H53.61 Abnormal dark adaptation curve
- H53.62 Acquired night blindness
- H53.63 Congenital night blindness
- H53.69 Other night blindness
- H53.7 Vision sensitivity deficienciesNon-billable
- H53.71 Glare sensitivity
- H53.72 Impaired contrast sensitivity
- H53.8 Other visual disturbances
- H53.9 Unspecified visual disturbance
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the H53 range.
Afterimage
Continuation of visual impression after cessation of stimuli causing the original image.
Amblyopia
A nonspecific term referring to impaired vision. Major subcategories include stimulus deprivation-induced amblyopia and toxic amblyopia. Stimulus deprivation-induced amblyopia is a developmental disorder of the visual cortex. A discrepancy between visual information received by the visual cortex from each eye results in abnormal cortical development. STRABISMUS and REFRACTIVE ERRORS may cause this condition. Toxic amblyopia is a disorder of the OPTIC NERVE which is associated with ALCOHOLISM, tobacco SMOKING, and other toxins and as an adverse effect of the use of some medications.
Cone Dystrophy
A general term which describes a group of rare eye disorders that affect the cone cells of the RETINA. Cone dystrophy can cause a variety of symptoms including decreased visual clarity or acuity when looking straight ahead (central vision), a reduced ability to see colors, and an increased sensitivity to light (PHOTOPHOBIA).
Diplopia
A visual symptom in which a single object is perceived by the visual cortex as two objects rather than one. Disorders associated with this condition include REFRACTIVE ERRORS; STRABISMUS; OCULOMOTOR NERVE DISEASES; TROCHLEAR NERVE DISEASES; ABDUCENS NERVE DISEASES; and diseases of the BRAIN STEM and OCCIPITAL LOBE.
Night Blindness
Failure or imperfection of vision at night or in dim light, with good vision only on bright days. (Dorland, 27th ed)
Photophobia
Abnormal sensitivity to light. This may occur as a manifestation of EYE DISEASES; MIGRAINE; SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE; MENINGITIS; and other disorders. Photophobia may also occur in association with DEPRESSION and other MENTAL DISORDERS.
Toxic Optic Neuropathy
Damage to the eye or its function (e.g., VISUAL IMPAIRMENT) due to OPTIC NERVE damage secondary to toxic substances such as drugs used in CHEMOTHERAPY; IMMUNOTHERAPY; or RADIATION.
About the H53 Code Range
ICD-10 code section H53 covers a broad range of visual disturbances, providing specific codes for different types of vision problems such as amblyopia, diplopia, color vision deficiencies, and various visual field defects. These codes are essential for accurately documenting conditions affecting sight that do not fit into other disease categories.
This section includes detailed subcodes that identify the particular type and eye affected, such as H53.001 for amblyopia of the right eye and H53.123 for transient visual loss in both eyes. Synonyms like "Strabismic amblyopia" or "Eye strain" help medical coders link common terms to precise ICD-10 codes. For instance, "day blindness" corresponds to H53.11, while "color blindness" maps to various codes including H53.50 and H53.51. This coding section also classifies subjective symptoms such as visual discomfort, visual distortions, or diplopia (double vision), aiding clinicians in specifying the diagnosis. Accurate use of ICD-10 codes from H53 ensures proper reporting of visual system abnormalities, making these codes a key reference for eye-related disorders not caused by other eye diseases.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the H53 range?
Of the 106 codes in this range, 84 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the H53 range classify?
The range classifies visual disturbances. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
