ICD-10 Code H27.03 – Aphakia, bilateral (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H27.03 – Aphakia, bilateral
What it is
Aphakia, bilateral means both eyes lack the natural crystalline lens. You use this code when documentation confirms lens absence in each eye, whether after surgery, trauma, or another cause.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Common findings include marked loss of focusing ability, high hyperopia, and reduced visual acuity, with absent lens visible on eye examination.
When to use this code
Use H27.03 when the record clearly states aphakia in both eyes. This may follow bilateral cataract extraction or bilateral lens removal, provided the provider documents the condition rather than only the procedure.
If the note describes one eye only, code unilateral aphakia instead. Check documentation when aphakia is suspected but not explicitly confirmed, or when the record uses related terms such as pseudophakia.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for pseudophakia, which means an artificial lens is present. Also avoid it when only one eye is aphakic or when the chart does not confirm bilateral lens absence.
Coding tip
Look for laterality in the ophthalmology note and code only when both eyes are documented as aphakic.