H17: Corneal scars and opacities

H17 refers to Corneal scars and opacities, a set of eye conditions affecting the sclera, cornea, iris, or ciliary body. These structures are essential for protecting the eye and maintaining vision, and disorders here often lead to inflammation, scarring, or visual distortion.

Symptoms

• Eye redness and pain – Common in keratitis (H16) and scleritis (H15)
• Blurred or decreased vision – Especially in H17 corneal scars and H18 corneal dystrophies
• Photophobia – Light sensitivity in iritis and keratouveitis (H20)
• Tearing and discharge – Found in infectious keratitis or corneal ulcers
• Visible opacities or white spots – Seen in corneal scarring or degenerations
• Eye pressure sensation – Often related to inflammation of the ciliary body
• Inflammation secondary to systemic disease – Seen in H22 (e.g., from sarcoidosis or RA)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Corneal scars and opacities involves slit-lamp biomicroscopy, corneal staining, intraocular pressure measurement, anterior chamber exam, and in some cases, laboratory tests or imaging to rule out systemic inflammatory or autoimmune causes.

ICD10 Code Usage

ICD10 code H17 is used in ophthalmology, rheumatology, emergency medicine, and primary care. It assists in documentation for vision-threatening anterior segment disorders, treatment justification, surgery planning (e.g., corneal transplant), and systemic disease monitoring.

Related Codes

• H15 – Disorders of sclera
• H16 – Keratitis
• H18 – Other disorders of cornea
• H20 – Iridocyclitis
• H21 – Other disorders of iris and ciliary body
• H22 – Disorders of iris and ciliary body in diseases classified elsewhere

FAQs

Q1: What is ICD10 code H17?
A: It refers to Corneal scars and opacities, affecting the sclera, cornea, iris, or ciliary body—parts critical to vision and eye structure.

Q2: Are these conditions vision-threatening?
A: Yes, if untreated, especially keratitis, iridocyclitis, and corneal scars can cause permanent vision loss or complications.

Q3: What causes these disorders?
A: Causes include infections, trauma, autoimmune disease, surgery, or congenital conditions.

Q4: What are typical treatments?
A: Antibiotic or steroid eye drops, immunosuppressive agents, lubricants, or surgical procedures such as corneal grafting or synechiae lysis.

Q5: Who manages these disorders?
A: Ophthalmologists, corneal specialists, and systemic disease physicians like rheumatologists if associated with autoimmune disease.

Conclusion

ICD10 code H17 enables proper classification and care of Corneal scars and opacities, facilitating timely treatment and protecting vision through early recognition and management of anterior segment disorders.