ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for retinopathy
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Retinopathy (background)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding retinopathy
The ICD-10-CM code for retinopathy is H35.00 (Unspecified background retinopathy). The official index lists 18 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on H35.00.
Within H35.0, choose H35.00 (Unspecified background retinopathy) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: changes in retinal vascular appearance (H35.01), Exudative retinopathy (H35.02), hypertensive retinopathy (H35.03), retinal micro-aneurysms, unspecified (H35.04), retinal neovascularization, unspecified (H35.05), retinal vasculitis (H35.06), retinal telangiectasis (H35.07) and other intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (H35.09).
It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 124 (Other Disorders of the Eye with MCC or Thrombolytic Agent, relative weight 1.2471) and DRG 125 (Other Disorders of the Eye without MCC, relative weight 0.7702), in MDC 02 (Diseases and Disorders of the Eye), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
More specific retinopathy codes (official index)
- arteriosclerotic I70.8 — Atherosclerosis of other arteries
- atherosclerotic I70.8 — Atherosclerosis of other arteries
- central serous
- Coats H35.02 — Exudative retinopathy
- diabetic
- exudative H35.02 — Exudative retinopathy
- hypertensive H35.03 — Hypertensive retinopathy
- in (due to)
- diabetes
- sickle-cell disorders
- nonproliferative D57 — Sickle-cell disorders
- proliferative D57 — Sickle-cell disorders
- of prematurity H35.10 — Retinopathy of prematurity, unspecified
- stage 0 H35.11 — Retinopathy of prematurity, stage 0
- stage 1 H35.12 — Retinopathy of prematurity, stage 1
- stage 2 H35.13 — Retinopathy of prematurity, stage 2
- stage 3 H35.14 — Retinopathy of prematurity, stage 3
- stage 4 H35.15 — Retinopathy of prematurity, stage 4
- stage 5 H35.16 — Retinopathy of prematurity, stage 5
- pigmentary, congenital
- proliferative NEC H35.2 — Other non-diabetic proliferative retinopathy
- diabetic
- sickle-cell D57 — Sickle-cell disorders
- thalassemia H35.2 — Other non-diabetic proliferative retinopathy
- solar H31.02 — Solar retinopathy
Common questions about retinopathy ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for retinopathy?
- H35.00 — Unspecified background retinopathy. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: I70.8, I70.8, H35.02, H35.02 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for arteriosclerotic retinopathy?
- I70.8 — Atherosclerosis of other arteries.
What is the ICD-10 code for atherosclerotic retinopathy?
- I70.8 — Atherosclerosis of other arteries.
What is the ICD-10 code for coats retinopathy?
- H35.02 — Exudative retinopathy (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for exudative retinopathy?
- H35.02 — Exudative retinopathy (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for hypertensive retinopathy?
- H35.03 — Hypertensive retinopathy (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for proliferative nec retinopathy?
- H35.2 — Other non-diabetic proliferative retinopathy (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
Is H35.00 billable?
- Yes. H35.00 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can H35.00 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict H35.00 as a principal diagnosis.
Is H35.00 a CC or MCC?
- No. H35.00 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.