ICD-10-CM Code For Corneal Scars And Opacities: Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group H17 includes diagnoses for corneal scars, opacities, and related corneal surface changes that reduce transparency or distort the corneal surface. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios such as healed corneal injuries, postinfectious scarring, and other causes of corneal opacity, capturing severity, laterality, and any associated complications. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM H17 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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ICD-10-CM H17: Corneal Scars And Opacities Overview

This group covers scarring and opacification of the cornea, the transparent front layer of the eye, which can impair vision and ocular surface function. It targets disorders affecting corneal clarity and integrity within the ocular system. Accurate coding is important to reflect severity and guide appropriate claim processing and reimbursement.

When to Use

Use a code from this group when a patient has documented corneal scarring or opacity that affects corneal clarity or visual function. Select the specific code that matches the described site, extent, and laterality documented in the medical record.

ICD-10-CM Codes

18 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
H17.00	Adherent leukoma, unspecified eye
H17.01	Adherent leukoma, right eye
H17.02	Adherent leukoma, left eye
H17.03	Adherent leukoma, bilateral
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
H17.811	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
H17.821	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

DRG Codes

2 rows

DRG Code	Description
124	Other Disorders of the Eye with MCC or Thrombolytic Agent
125	Other Disorders of the Eye without MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged patient with a history of prior penetrating trauma to the eye presents with decreased vision and visible white opacity on slit-lamp exam corresponding to the visual axis. The opacity is stable but causes refractive irregularity and glare; the visit documents corneal scarring from prior injury as the primary problem and discussion of visual rehabilitation options. Typical codes: H17.011, H17.012
An elderly patient in routine ophthalmology follow-up with chronic peripheral corneal scarring from previous marginal keratitis now noted to have multiple non-central stromal opacities without active inflammation. The encounter is for monitoring the chronic corneal opacity that does not require acute treatment but is recorded as the reason for continued surveillance. Typical codes: H17.821, H17.822
A patient presents to urgent care with sudden worsening vision in the eye months after corneal ulcer healed; exam shows a dense central corneal opacity and irregular astigmatism causing significant visual impairment as a complication of the prior infectious keratitis. The diagnosis documents corneal opacity as a complication of the healed infection and guides referral for possible surgical management. Typical codes: H17.03, H17.13

Related Codes

H15-DISORDERS-OF-SCLERA

ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Sclera: Group Overview

H16-KERATITIS-CORNEAL-DISORDERS

ICD-10-CM Code For Keratitis: Group Overview

H18-OTHER-DISORDERS-OF-CORNEA

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of Cornea: Group Overview

H20-IRIDOCYCLITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Iridocyclitis: Group Overview

H21-OTHER-DISORDERS-OF-IRIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of Iris And Ciliary Body: Group Overview

H22-DISORDERS-OF-IRIS-AND-CILIARY-BODY

ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Iris And Ciliary Body In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

18 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
H17.00	Adherent leukoma, unspecified eye
H17.01	Adherent leukoma, right eye
H17.02	Adherent leukoma, left eye
H17.03	Adherent leukoma, bilateral
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
H17.811	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
H17.821	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

DRG Codes

2 rows

DRG Code	Description
124	Other Disorders of the Eye with MCC or Thrombolytic Agent
125	Other Disorders of the Eye without MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged patient with a history of prior penetrating trauma to the eye presents with decreased vision and visible white opacity on slit-lamp exam corresponding to the visual axis. The opacity is stable but causes refractive irregularity and glare; the visit documents corneal scarring from prior injury as the primary problem and discussion of visual rehabilitation options. Typical codes: H17.011, H17.012
An elderly patient in routine ophthalmology follow-up with chronic peripheral corneal scarring from previous marginal keratitis now noted to have multiple non-central stromal opacities without active inflammation. The encounter is for monitoring the chronic corneal opacity that does not require acute treatment but is recorded as the reason for continued surveillance. Typical codes: H17.821, H17.822
A patient presents to urgent care with sudden worsening vision in the eye months after corneal ulcer healed; exam shows a dense central corneal opacity and irregular astigmatism causing significant visual impairment as a complication of the prior infectious keratitis. The diagnosis documents corneal opacity as a complication of the healed infection and guides referral for possible surgical management. Typical codes: H17.03, H17.13

Related Codes

H15-DISORDERS-OF-SCLERA

ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Sclera: Group Overview

H16-KERATITIS-CORNEAL-DISORDERS

ICD-10-CM Code For Keratitis: Group Overview

H18-OTHER-DISORDERS-OF-CORNEA

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of Cornea: Group Overview

H20-IRIDOCYCLITIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Iridocyclitis: Group Overview

H21-OTHER-DISORDERS-OF-IRIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of Iris And Ciliary Body: Group Overview

H22-DISORDERS-OF-IRIS-AND-CILIARY-BODY

ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of Iris And Ciliary Body In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-CM Code For Corneal Scars And Opacities: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Corneal Scars And Opacities: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM H17: Corneal Scars And Opacities Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Corneal Scars And Opacities: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Corneal Scars And Opacities: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM H17: Corneal Scars And Opacities Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-CM code group covers corneal scars and opacities?

How do codes in the H17 group capture laterality and severity?

Which specific codes represent adherent leukoma within this group?

What codes describe central, minor, and peripheral corneal opacities?

How does accurate coding within H17 affect claims and reimbursement?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-CM code group covers corneal scars and opacities?

How do codes in the H17 group capture laterality and severity?

Which specific codes represent adherent leukoma within this group?

What codes describe central, minor, and peripheral corneal opacities?

How does accurate coding within H17 affect claims and reimbursement?

References