ICD10
ICD-10 Code H35.5: Hereditary retinal dystrophy
Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026
What is this code?
ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59).
When is it used?
- May be used when a clinician documents hereditary retinal dystrophy in a patient's medical record.
- May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
- This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.
What it does not mean
- A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
- A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
- This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.
Code hierarchy
chapter
7Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59)
block
H30-H36Disorders of choroid and retina
category
H35Other retinal disorders
currentH35
Official coding notes
Excludes1 (do not code together)
- dystrophies primarily involving Bruch's membrane (H31.1-)
Where you may see this code
You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.
Related specialists
Ophthalmologist
Related codes
Sibling codes
H35.0Background retinopathy and retinal vascular changesH35.1Retinopathy of prematurityH35.2Other non-diabetic proliferative retinopathyH35.3Degeneration of macula and posterior poleH35.4Peripheral retinal degenerationH35.6Retinal hemorrhageH35.7Separation of retinal layersH35.8Other specified retinal disordersH35.9Unspecified retinal disorderbillable
Mapped diagnoses and classifications
SNOMED_CT 232049001high
Adult vitelliform macular dystrophy
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 725168006high
Aland Islands eye disease
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 720983002high
Amaurosis hypertrichosis syndrome
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 232052009high
Autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 711162004high
Autosomal dominant vitreoretinochoroidopathy
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 723828008high
Autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
Coding guidelines
Compatibility
Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.
Legacy codes
H35.5
Replacement codes
H35.50 — Unspecified hereditary retinal dystrophyH35.51 — Vitreoretinal dystrophyH35.52 — Pigmentary retinal dystrophyH35.53 — Other dystrophies primarily involving the sensory retinaH35.54 — Dystrophies primarily involving the retinal pigment epithelium
Common synonyms
Hereditary retinal dystrophy
Frequently asked questions
About this content
This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.