ICD-10 Code H44.52 – Atrophy of globe (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H44.52 – Atrophy of globe
What it is
H44.52 identifies atrophy of the globe, meaning shrinkage and loss of normal size of the eyeball. Use it when documentation clearly states a wasted, shrunken, or phthisical eye.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include a visibly smaller eye, reduced ocular volume, and marked structural degeneration. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for the exact eye findings and laterality.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents atrophy of the globe as the diagnosed condition. It may appear after severe eye disease, trauma, or longstanding ocular damage, but you should code only what is recorded. If the note describes a different eye disorder without globe atrophy, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use H44.52 for general vision loss, cataract, or other eye diseases that do not document globe atrophy. If the record is unclear, check documentation before assigning this code.
Coding tip
Confirm that the provider specifically documents globe atrophy, not just a small pupil or poor vision, before you assign H44.52.