ICD-10 Code H34.13 – Central retinal artery occlusion, bilateral (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H34.13 – Central retinal artery occlusion, bilateral
What it is
H34.13 identifies blockage of the central retinal artery in both eyes. This code is used when documentation confirms bilateral central retinal artery occlusion, a severe cause of sudden retinal ischemia.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include sudden, painless vision loss in both eyes, retinal whitening, and a cherry-red spot on examination. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use H34.13 when the provider documents central retinal artery occlusion affecting both eyes. It may appear in ophthalmology, emergency, or stroke-related records when the diagnosis is confirmed. If laterality is not clearly bilateral, check documentation before assigning this code.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for unilateral retinal artery occlusion or for nonspecific visual loss without confirmed vascular occlusion. Do not code it when the record only mentions suspected retinal ischemia.
Coding tip
Verify bilateral involvement in the assessment, not just symptoms, before reporting H34.13.