ICD-10 Code A18.52 – Tuberculous keratitis (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A18.52 – Tuberculous keratitis
What it is
A18.52 identifies tuberculosis infection involving the cornea. Use it when documentation states tuberculous keratitis, meaning the eye condition is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Standard references describe corneal inflammation with possible infiltrates, ulceration, or reduced vision, but the record should specifically support tuberculous involvement.
When to use this code
Use A18.52 when the provider documents tuberculous keratitis, ocular tuberculosis, or corneal disease attributed to TB. It is appropriate for confirmed or clearly documented suspected TB involvement of the cornea. If the note only says keratitis without a TB cause, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for nonspecific keratitis, bacterial or viral corneal infection, or eye findings unrelated to tuberculosis. If the chart does not link the corneal condition to TB, use a different diagnosis code.
Coding tip
Look for explicit provider wording tying the corneal disorder to tuberculosis before assigning A18.52.