ICD-10 Code E50.4 – Vitamin A deficiency with keratomalacia (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E50.4 – Vitamin A deficiency with keratomalacia
What it is
E50.4 identifies vitamin A deficiency complicated by keratomalacia, a severe eye condition caused by lack of vitamin A. Use it when the record links deficiency to corneal softening or breakdown.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include dry eyes, corneal clouding, and softening or ulceration of the cornea. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use E50.4 when the provider documents vitamin A deficiency with keratomalacia, or when corneal softening is clearly attributed to vitamin A deficiency. It may appear in malnutrition, malabsorption, or dietary deficiency records, but the diagnosis should be stated explicitly. Check documentation if the eye findings are described without a cause.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for simple vitamin A deficiency without corneal involvement, or for other corneal disorders not linked to vitamin A deficiency. If keratomalacia is not documented, check documentation.
Coding tip
Code E50.4 only when both vitamin A deficiency and keratomalacia are supported in the chart.