ICD-10 Code E50.1 – Vitamin A deficiency with Bitot’s spot and conjunctival xerosis (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E50.1 – Vitamin A deficiency with Bitot’s spot and conjunctival xerosis
What it is
E50.1 identifies vitamin A deficiency when the eye findings include Bitot’s spots and conjunctival xerosis. Use it when documentation clearly links these ocular changes to vitamin A deficiency.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include dry conjunctiva and Bitot’s spots, which are foamy, whitish lesions on the conjunctiva. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents vitamin A deficiency with both Bitot’s spots and conjunctival xerosis. It is appropriate for confirmed deficiency-related eye disease, not for nonspecific eye dryness alone. Check documentation if the record does not explicitly connect the findings to vitamin A deficiency.
Do not use for
Do not use E50.1 for isolated xerosis without vitamin A deficiency, or for other causes of dry eye. If Bitot’s spots are not documented, choose the more accurate code based on the record.
Coding tip
Confirm the provider’s wording ties the ocular findings to vitamin A deficiency before assigning E50.1.