ICD-10 Code H16.00 – Unspecified corneal ulcer (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H16.00 – Unspecified corneal ulcer
What it is
H16.00 identifies a corneal ulcer when the record does not specify the cause, location, or type. It means you have documentation of an ulcer on the cornea, but not enough detail for a more specific code.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include eye pain, redness, tearing, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. Corneal staining or a visible corneal defect may be documented; clinical features vary, so refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use H16.00 when the provider documents a corneal ulcer but does not identify whether it is bacterial, fungal, herpetic, or otherwise specified. It also fits cases where the chart confirms an ulceration of the cornea, but details are incomplete.
Choose a more specific code if the organism, laterality, or ulcer type is stated. If the note is unclear, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for corneal abrasion, keratitis without ulceration, or a clearly specified corneal ulcer type. If the record gives a more exact diagnosis, code that instead.
Coding tip
Look for the exact corneal diagnosis wording in the assessment, because “ulcer,” “keratitis,” and “abrasion” are not interchangeable.