ICD-10 Code H49.9 – Unspecified Paralytic Strabismus (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H49.9 – Unspecified paralytic strabismus
What it is
H49.9 identifies paralytic strabismus when the affected eye muscle or cranial nerve palsy is not further specified. Use it for ocular misalignment caused by weakness or paralysis, but without a documented type or side.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include misaligned eyes, limited eye movement, and double vision. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for the exact muscle, nerve, or laterality involved.
When to use this code
Use H49.9 when the record states paralytic strabismus, ocular motor palsy, or similar wording, but does not identify the specific paralytic type. It is appropriate when the provider documents strabismus due to paralysis and details are incomplete. Check documentation if the cause, nerve, or eye is later clarified.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for nonparalytic strabismus or for cases with a more specific paralytic strabismus code available. Do not assign it when documentation only describes diplopia without confirmed paralytic strabismus.
Coding tip
If the note names the involved nerve or muscle, code to the more specific paralytic strabismus option instead of H49.9.