S04.0 — Injury of optic nerve and pathways

Not billable

Is S04.0 billable?

No — S04.0 is a non-billable header code. S04.0 groups more specific codes and cannot be submitted on a claim. A valid ICD-10-CM code must be reported at the highest level of specificity available in its branch. Select one of the 30 billable codes beneath S04.0.

Billable codes under this header

S04.0 at a glance

Code	S04.0
Description	Injury of optic nerve and pathways
Billable	No — header code
Code set	ICD-10-CM FY2027
Valid for encounters	October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027

Use additional code

Report an additional code alongside S04.0 to fully describe the condition. S04.0 is sequenced first.

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

Code first — inherited from S04

The underlying condition below must be sequenced before S04.0. S04.0 describes a manifestation and cannot be the principal or first-listed diagnosis.

any associated intracranial injury (S06.-)

Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19

Report an additional code alongside S04.0 to fully describe the condition. S04.0 is sequenced first.

code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 19

The conditions below are not part of S04.0, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S04.0 and the excluded code may both be reported.

birth trauma (P10-P15)
obstetric trauma (O70-O71)

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S00-S09

The conditions below are not part of S04.0, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S04.0 and the excluded code may both be reported.

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 — inherited from S00-S09

Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S04.0 is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.

for any associated infection

Code also — inherited from S04