ICD-10 Code H47.612 – Cortical blindness, left side of brain (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H47.612 – Cortical blindness, left side of brain
What it is
H47.612 identifies cortical blindness caused by damage to the left side of the brain. Vision loss comes from the visual cortex, not from the eyes themselves.
Clinical signs
Patients may have absent or markedly reduced vision with preserved ocular structures on exam. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for laterality, associated neurologic findings, and whether the blindness is complete or partial.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents cortical blindness with involvement of the left cerebral hemisphere. It fits cases where the eye exam does not explain the vision loss and the neurologic source is clearly stated.
Code it from the medical record, imaging, or specialist assessment when the left-sided brain lesion is confirmed. If the note only says “blindness” or “vision loss,” check documentation before assigning H47.612.
Do not use for
Do not use H47.612 for blindness due to ocular disease, optic nerve disorders, or unspecified visual loss. Check documentation if the cause, laterality, or cortical origin is not clearly recorded.
Coding tip
Confirm that the provider links the blindness to the left cerebral cortex before coding H47.612.