ICD-10 Code H18.49 – Other corneal degeneration (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H18.49 – Other corneal degeneration
What it is
H18.49 identifies a corneal degeneration that does not fit a more specific ICD-10 category. Use it for documented degenerative changes of the cornea when the record does not name another code.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Corneal degeneration may be described with corneal opacity, thinning, deposits, or structural change noted on eye exam or slit-lamp evaluation.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents “other corneal degeneration” or a similar nonspecific degenerative corneal disorder. It is appropriate when the chart supports degeneration but does not identify a more exact corneal diagnosis. Check documentation if the condition is better described by another corneal disease code.
Do not use for
Do not use H18.49 for corneal dystrophies, corneal scars, ulcers, or injuries that have their own codes. If the record names a specific corneal disorder, code that condition instead.
Coding tip
Query the provider when “corneal degeneration” is documented without detail, because specificity may change the code selection.