ICD-10 Code H59.029 – Cataract (lens) fragments in eye following cataract surgery, unspecified eye (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H59.029 – Cataract (lens) fragments in eye following cataract surgery, unspecified eye
What it is
This code identifies retained cataract or lens fragments in the eye after cataract surgery when the affected eye is not specified. It describes a postoperative complication involving leftover lens material.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Findings may include decreased vision, inflammation, or irritation after cataract surgery, but you should code only when the record documents retained lens fragments.
When to use this code
Use H59.029 when the provider documents cataract or lens fragments remaining in the eye after cataract surgery and does not identify the eye. Apply it for postoperative encounters, follow-up visits, or complication-related evaluation. If the note names the right or left eye, use the laterality-specific code instead.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for routine postoperative follow-up without a complication. Do not use it for other causes of visual symptoms, such as infection or inflammation, unless retained lens fragments are specifically documented.
Coding tip
Check the operative and follow-up notes for laterality and whether the fragments are truly postoperative.