H18.442 Keratomalacia, left eye

ICD-10-CM Code H18.442: Keratomalacia, left eye

ICD-10-CM code H18.442 identifies keratomalacia in the left eye, a condition involving corneal softening and necrosis. This active diagnosis code is specific to the left eye and is classified under the broader parent category of keratomalacia. It is a billable, laterality-specific code. 1 2 3

Plain-language overview

Keratomalacia involves the softening and necrosis of the cornea, which can progress to perforation, and this specific diagnosis code identifies that condition when it affects the left eye. 1 3

What this code represents

The code H18.442 represents a disease or syndrome diagnosis for keratomalacia in the left eye, operating as an active terminology concept within the ICD-10-CM version 2026 system. 1 2

Coding details

Code H18.442 is a billable, laterality-specific diagnosis that falls under the parent concept H18.44 for keratomalacia and exists alongside distinct codes for right eye, bilateral, and unspecified presentations. 1 3

Documentation considerations

Clinical documentation for this condition must specify the left eye to apply this code, and coders are instructed to code any documented vitamin A deficiency using the E50.- category alongside the keratomalacia diagnosis. 3

Clinical context

Keratomalacia is classically linked to severe vitamin A deficiency, and the condition supports urgent treatment of the underlying deficiency alongside measures for corneal protection. 3

What the sources add

While official terminology records establish the code hierarchy and active status, supplementary clinical sources add operational context by confirming the code is billable and detailing the associated corneal necrosis pathology. 1 3

Official sources provide the exact preferred name and release date for this diagnosis, whereas clinical coding references provide the practical instruction to report associated vitamin A deficiency codes separately. 1 2 3

Coverage and utilization context

The supplementary clinical reference designates H18.442 as a billable code, but the supplied excerpts do not establish specific payer coverage policies, reimbursement rules, or utilization management criteria for this diagnosis. 3

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM H18.442 terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. EVS Explore — evsexplore.semantics.cancer.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. Keratomalacia — moyae.com; accessed 2026-07-27.