ICD-10 Code H50.50 – Unspecified heterophoria (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H50.50 – Unspecified heterophoria
What it is
H50.50 identifies heterophoria when the type is not specified. It describes a latent eye misalignment that is usually controlled by fusion but may appear when binocular vision is disrupted.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly, you may see eye strain, intermittent diplopia, or a deviation noted only on cover testing, but the record must support heterophoria.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents heterophoria without naming the direction or subtype. It is also appropriate when the chart confirms a phoria but does not specify whether it is esophoria, exophoria, or another form. Check documentation if the note is unclear.
Do not use for
Do not use H50.50 for manifest strabismus or for a documented, specific phoria type. If the record names a more precise diagnosis, code that instead.
Coding tip
Query for the exact phoria type when the note says only “heterophoria” and no laterality or subtype is documented.