H53.6
Non-Billable

Night blindness

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Night blindness?

ICD-10-CM H53.6 is the diagnosis code for Night blindness. This code falls under the section "Visual disturbances and blindness" within Chapter 7 — Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for H53.6

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as H53.6. They are mutually exclusive:

  • night blindness due to vitamin A deficiency (E50.5)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where H53.6 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 5 entries
H53.60Unspecified night blindnessBillableH53.61Abnormal dark adaptation curveBillableH53.62Acquired night blindnessBillableH53.63Congenital night blindnessBillableH53.69Other night blindnessBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is H53.6 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, H53.6 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does H53.6 mean?

H53.6 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Night blindness". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of H53.6?

The parent code of H53.6 is H53 ("Visual disturbances"). H53.6 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is H53.6 in?

H53.6 is located in Section H53-H54 — "Visual disturbances and blindness" within Chapter 7 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of H53.6?

H53.6 has 5 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: H53.60, H53.61, H53.62, H53.63, H53.69.

When should I use H53.6?

Use H53.6 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Night blindness" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Night blindness?

The ICD-10-CM code for Night blindness is H53.6.

Can H53.6 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, H53.6 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is H53.6 in?

H53.6 is in Chapter 7 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from H53.6?

Type 1 Excludes for H53.6 include: night blindness due to vitamin A deficiency (E50.5).

Is H53.6 valid for 2026?

Yes, H53.6 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousH53.59Other color vision deficienciesNext →H53.60Unspecified night blindness
Code Details
H53.6
Night blindness
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
7 — Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59)
H53-H54 — Visual disturbances and blindness
2026 ICD-10-CM