H18.443

What This Code Means

Keratomalacia is a serious eye condition where both corneas become softened and cloudy, usually due to severe vitamin A deficiency. This can lead to corneal scarring and vision loss if not treated promptly.

Coding Tips

• •Verify that the condition affects both eyes (bilateral) before assigning this code; if only one eye is affected, use the unilateral code (H18.441 or H18.442) instead
• •Consider coding an additional diagnosis code for the underlying cause, such as vitamin A deficiency (E50.-), as this will support medical necessity and guide treatment decisions