ICD-10 Code E50.3 – Vitamin A deficiency with corneal ulceration and xerosis (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E50.3 – Vitamin A deficiency with corneal ulceration and xerosis
What it is
E50.3 identifies vitamin A deficiency severe enough to cause dryness of the eye surface and corneal ulceration. Use it when the record clearly links the deficiency to xerosis and corneal damage.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include ocular dryness, conjunctival and corneal xerosis, and corneal ulceration. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for the exact eye findings and whether vitamin A deficiency is confirmed.
When to use this code
Use this code when the clinician documents vitamin A deficiency with corneal ulceration and xerosis in the same episode of care. It fits cases where the eye disease is attributed to nutritional deficiency, not to another corneal disorder. Check documentation if the cause is unclear.
Do not use for
Do not use E50.3 for isolated vitamin A deficiency without eye involvement. Do not use it when xerosis or corneal ulceration is due to another cause, such as trauma or infection.
Coding tip
Look for explicit documentation linking the corneal findings to vitamin A deficiency before assigning E50.3.