S04.0 – Injury of optic nerve and pathways

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Injuries to the head

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code S04.0

Code: S04.0 (claims format: S040)
Description: Injury of optic nerve and pathways
Billable: No – use a more specific code below
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 19. Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
Block: S00-S09 Injuries to the head
Parent codes: S04

Billable codes under S04.0

S04.0 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

S04.01 – Injury of optic nerveHeader (more codes below)
S04.02 – Injury of optic chiasmHeader (more codes below)
S04.03 – Injury of optic tract and pathwaysHeader (more codes below)
S04.04 – Injury of visual cortexHeader (more codes below)

7th character values

Codes in this category need a 7th character to describe the encounter or episode of care (use placeholder X for empty positions).

Character	Meaning
`A`	initial encounter
`D`	subsequent encounter
`S`	sequela

Notes for S04.0

Use additional code:

code to identify any visual field defect or blindness (H53.4-, H54.-)

Notes inherited from parent codes

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

S04 – Injury of cranial nerve

Applicable to:

The selection of side should be based on the side of the body being affected

Code first:

any associated intracranial injury (S06.-)

Code also:

any associated:
open wound of head (S01.-)
skull fracture (S02.-)

7th character note:

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S04

Block S00-S09

Includes:

injuries of ear
injuries of eye
injuries of face [any part]
injuries of gum
injuries of jaw
injuries of oral cavity
injuries of palate
injuries of periocular area
injuries of scalp
injuries of temporomandibular joint area
injuries of tongue
injuries of tooth

Excludes2 (not included here):

burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
effects of foreign body in ear (T16)
effects of foreign body in larynx (T17.3)
effects of foreign body in mouth NOS (T18.0)
effects of foreign body in nose (T17.0-T17.1)
effects of foreign body in pharynx (T17.2)
effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)
frostbite (T33-T34)
insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

Code also:

for any associated infection

Related codes in S04

S04.1 – Injury of oculomotor nerveHeader
S04.2 – Injury of trochlear nerveHeader
S04.3 – Injury of trigeminal nerveHeader
S04.4 – Injury of abducent nerveHeader
S04.5 – Injury of facial nerveHeader
S04.6 – Injury of acoustic nerveHeader
S04.7 – Injury of accessory nerveHeader
S04.8 – Injury of other cranial nervesHeader
S04.9 – Injury of unspecified cranial nerveHeader

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code S04.0?

S04.0 is the ICD-10-CM code for injury of optic nerve and pathways, in the block S00-S09 (Injuries to the head).

Is S04.0 a billable code?

No. S04.0 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does S04.0 belong to?

It belongs to category S04 – Injury of cranial nerve.

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.