ICD-10 Code H47.619 – Cortical blindness, unspecified side of brain (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H47.619 – Cortical blindness, unspecified side of brain
What it is
Cortical blindness is loss of vision caused by damage to the visual cortex in the brain, not by a problem in the eyes themselves. “Unspecified side of brain” means the record does not identify the affected cerebral side.
Clinical signs
Patients may have absent or severely reduced vision with normal ocular structures on exam. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation, and look for findings consistent with occipital or visual pathway brain injury.
When to use this code
Use H47.619 when the provider documents cortical blindness and does not specify the right or left side of the brain. This code fits cases where vision loss is attributed to cerebral damage rather than ocular disease. Verify that the diagnosis is confirmed in the chart.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for blindness due to eye disorders, optic nerve disease, or when the side of brain is documented. Check documentation if the record describes only visual impairment without a confirmed cortical cause.
Coding tip
If laterality is documented, select the more specific code instead of H47.619.