AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2017 Issue 4; New/Revised ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes
Degenerative Myopia
Code H44.2, Degenerative myopia, has been expanded and new codes created for degenerative myopia with choroidal neovascularization (H44.2A-), macular hole (H44.2B-), retinal detachment (H44.2C-), foveoschisis (H44.2D-), and other maculopathy (H44.2E-). Degenerative (pathologic) myopia is progressive thinning of the retina due to the eye elongating more than normal. The condition may begin in early childhood, and cause severe nearsightedness by the teen years and early adulthood. Since there is actual damage to the retina due to stretching and thinning of the choroid and retinal pigment epithelium layers of the eye, a person with degenerative...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article explains an ICD-10-CM update for degenerative myopia and reviews the broader clinical context of the condition and its associated retinal complications. It is relevant to ophthalmology coders, clinical documentation teams, and revenue cycle staff who need to understand how this diagnosis area is organized and what major complication categories are addressed in the revised code structure.
Why This Topic Matters
Degenerative myopia can involve serious retinal and macular complications that affect documentation specificity and code selection. Understanding the updated diagnosis framework helps coding professionals recognize the main complication groupings discussed in the article and align records with the appropriate level of detail.
Article Sections
-
Coding update for degenerative myopia
Overview of the diagnosis area and the updated structure for this condition. The section introduces the major complication categories discussed in the article.
-
Clinical background on degenerative myopia
General discussion of the condition’s progression and its impact on vision. This section describes the underlying eye changes and the broad risks associated with the diagnosis.
-
Choroidal neovascularization
General description of one major complication associated with degenerative myopia. The section summarizes the clinical context and broad treatment approaches.
-
Myopic foveoschisis
General discussion of a macular complication associated with degenerative myopia. The section covers the condition’s presentation and overall management context.
-
Macular hole
Overview of a full-thickness macular complication linked to degenerative myopia. The section describes its effect on central vision and general treatment context.
-
Retinal detachment
Brief discussion of retinal changes that can lead to detachment in the setting of degenerative myopia. The section outlines the associated visual impact.
What You Will Learn
- How the degenerative myopia diagnosis area is organized in the updated coding framework
- What major complication categories are associated with degenerative myopia
- How the article places the condition in its broader ophthalmic clinical context
- What general treatment themes are mentioned for related retinal and macular complications
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Ophthalmology practices
- Clinical documentation improvement teams
- Revenue cycle staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.



Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com