H54.8 – Legal blindness, as defined in USA

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Visual disturbances and blindness

Billable code

ICD-10-CM code H54.8

Code: H54.8 (claims format: H548)
Description: Legal blindness, as defined in USA
Billable: Yes – valid for HIPAA-covered transactions
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 7. Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59)
Block: H53-H54 Visual disturbances and blindness
Parent codes: H54

Notes for H54.8

Applicable to:

Blindness NOS according to USA definition

Excludes1 (not coded here):

legal blindness with specification of impairment level (H54.0-H54.7)

Notes:

The table below gives a classification of severity of visual impairment recommended by a WHO Study Group on the Prevention of Blindness, Geneva, 6-10 November 1972.
The term 'low vision' in category H54 comprises categories 1 and 2 of the table, the term 'blindness' categories 3, 4 and 5, and the term 'unqualified visual loss' category 9.
If the extent of the visual field is taken into account, patients with a field no greater than 10 but greater than 5 around central fixation should be placed in category 3 and patients with a field no greater than 5 around central fixation should be placed in category 4, even if the central acuity is not impaired.

Notes inherited from parent codes

Instructional notes at a category or block level apply to every code below it.

H54 – Blindness and low vision

Excludes1 (not coded here):

amaurosis fugax (G45.3)

Code first:

any associated underlying cause of the blindness

Notes:

For definition of visual impairment categories see table below

Index terms for H54.8

Entries in the ICD-10-CM alphabetic index that lead to this code:

Blindness, legal

Related codes in H54

H54.0 – Blindness, both eyesHeader
H54.1 – Blindness, one eye, low vision other eyeHeader
H54.2 – Low vision, both eyesHeader
H54.3 – Unqualified visual loss, both eyesBillable
H54.4 – Blindness, one eyeHeader
H54.5 – Low vision, one eyeHeader
H54.6 – Unqualified visual loss, one eyeHeader
H54.7 – Unspecified visual lossBillable

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code H54.8?

H54.8 is the ICD-10-CM code for legal blindness, as defined in USA, in the block H53-H54 (Visual disturbances and blindness).

Is H54.8 a billable code?

Yes. H54.8 is a billable/specific code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

What category does H54.8 belong to?

It belongs to category H54 – Blindness and low vision.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.