What H27 covers · when clinicians use it
ICD-10 code H27 identifies Other disorders of lens in the U.S. ICD-10-CM clinical and billing record set. It sits within the Eye and Adnexa chapter (H00–H59), the section that groups related diagnoses so providers, payers, and public-health agencies report them consistently. Clinicians and medical coders apply H27 when an encounter's findings match the Other disorders of lens description, attaching it to the patient record so downstream insurance claims, payer audits, quality reporting, and epidemiological surveillance all reference the same standardized diagnosis. The ICD-10-CM is maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, with an updated official code set released each U.S. fiscal year — always verify H27 against the current CMS/CDC release and your payer's documentation guidance before final use. This page summarizes documentation context for H27 and is a coding reference, not clinical, diagnostic, or billing advice.
H27 refers to Other disorders of lens, a group of lens-related eye disorders that impair vision due to clouding or other abnormalities of the lens. These may develop with age, from trauma, systemic diseases, or congenital defects, and are a leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide.
Symptoms
- Blurry or foggy vision – A primary sign of cataracts (H25, H26)
- Difficulty with night vision – Often the earliest complaint
- Increased light sensitivity – Especially in posterior subcapsular cataracts
- Halos around lights – Common symptom of mature or dense cataracts
- Fading or yellowing of colors – Caused by lens opacity
- Double vision in one eye – Possible in lens dislocation or partial opacity (H27)
- Cataracts secondary to systemic disease – Seen in H28 (e.g., diabetes, galactosemia)
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Other disorders of lens involves visual acuity testing, slit-lamp examination, dilated fundus exam, and in some cases, ocular ultrasound (for mature cataracts). Systemic workup may be required in cases linked to metabolic or genetic conditions.
ICD10 Code Usage
ICD10 code H27 is used by ophthalmologists, optometrists, and general practitioners. It is essential for surgical planning (e.g., phacoemulsification), documentation of visual disability, insurance claims, and monitoring systemic disease impacts on eye health.
Related Codes
FAQs
Q1: What is ICD10 code H27?
A: It represents Other disorders of lens, a category of lens disorders that impair vision through opacity or structural changes.
Q2: Are all cataracts age-related?
A: No—H26 covers congenital, traumatic, and secondary cataracts; H28 codes those linked to systemic diseases.
Q3: Can cataracts be prevented?
A: Risk can be reduced with UV protection, blood sugar control, and avoiding steroid overuse, but age-related forms (H25) are common.
Q4: What is the treatment?
A: Surgical removal of the lens with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation remains the definitive treatment.
Q5: Who manages these conditions?
A: Ophthalmologists for diagnosis and surgery, optometrists for monitoring, and PCPs for managing systemic contributors.
Conclusion
ICD10 code H27 ensures accurate documentation of Other disorders of lens, guiding timely surgical referral, monitoring vision loss, and identifying underlying systemic or hereditary contributors to lens opacity.