ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code H35.81: Retinal edema

H35.81 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Retinal edema in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. 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 retinal edema in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

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.

Code hierarchy

chapter
7Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59)
block
H30-H36Disorders of choroid and retina
category
H35Other retinal disorders
category
H35.8Other specified retinal disorders
currentH35.8

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms
  • Retinal cotton wool spots

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

Ophthalmologist

Coverage-related procedures and services

CPT 92134high
COMPUTERIZED OPHTHALMIC DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING (EG, OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY [OCT]), POSTERIOR SEGMENT, WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT, UNILATERAL OR BILATERAL; RETINA
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 0509Thigh
ELECTRORETINOGRAPHY (ERG) WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT, PATTERN (PERG)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 92273high
ELECTRORETINOGRAPHY (ERG), WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT; FULL FIELD (IE, FFERG, FLASH ERG, GANZFELD ERG)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 92274high
ELECTRORETINOGRAPHY (ERG), WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT; MULTIFOCAL (MFERG)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 92083high
VISUAL FIELD EXAMINATION, UNILATERAL OR BILATERAL, WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT; EXTENDED EXAMINATION (EG, GOLDMANN VISUAL FIELDS WITH AT LEAST 3 ISOPTERS PLOTTED AND STATIC DETERMINATION WITHIN THE CENTRAL 30 DEG, OR QUANTITATIVE, AUTOMATED THRESHOLD PERIMETRY, OCTOPUS PROGRAM G-1, 32 OR 42, HUMPHREY VISUAL FIELD ANALYZER FULL THRESHOLD PROGRAMS 30-2, 24-2, OR 30/60-2)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 92082high
VISUAL FIELD EXAMINATION, UNILATERAL OR BILATERAL, WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT; INTERMEDIATE EXAMINATION (EG, AT LEAST 2 ISOPTERS ON GOLDMANN PERIMETER, OR SEMIQUANTITATIVE, AUTOMATED SUPRATHRESHOLD SCREENING PROGRAM, HUMPHREY SUPRATHRESHOLD AUTOMATIC DIAGNOSTIC TEST, OCTOPUS PROGRAM 33)
Source: CMS coverage guidance

Coding guidelines

Common synonyms

Retinal edema

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeH35.81
SystemICD10
Display nameRetinal edema
ChapterDiseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59)
BlockDisorders of choroid and retina

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Congestion, congestiveCotton wool spots(retinal)Disorder(of)Edema, edematous(infectious) (pitting) (toxic)Edema, edematous(infectious) (pitting) (toxic)

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.

ICD-10 Code H35.81 for Retinal edema | HealthAssure