S04.03
Injury of optic tract and pathways
S04.03 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code header for injury of optic tract and pathways. Report a more specific code from it instead. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. The more specific codes under it are S04.031 Injury of optic tract and pathways, right side; S04.032 Injury of optic tract and pathways, left side and S04.039 Injury of optic tract and pathways, unspecified side. Its coding notes include a Code first instruction, a Use additional code instruction, a Code also instruction and 11 Excludes2 entries.
7th characters
Every code below needs one of these (defined at S04).
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S04
- Ainitial encounter
- Dsubsequent encounter
- Ssequela
Guidelines tips
From the FY2027 Official Guidelines. ICD10Ref adds no rules of its own.
The 7th character depends on whether the patient is in active treatment, not on who sees the patient. An aftercare Z code is not used for injury aftercare.
Each injury gets its own code unless a combination code exists, with the most serious injury first. Superficial injuries at the same site as a more severe injury are not coded. Injuries during medical care are coded as complications.
Code first
If the underlying condition listed here is present and known, sequence it first.
Use additional code
Add the listed code as a secondary code, if known.
Also from chapter/block level (1 note)
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Code also
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition. This note gives no sequencing order.
Also from chapter/block level (1 note)
- for any associated infection
Excludes2
Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.
Also from chapter/block level (11 notes)
- 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)
- birth trauma (P10-P15)
- obstetric trauma (O70-O71)
Includes
Further defines or gives examples of the content of the category.
Also from chapter/block level (12 notes)
- injuries of ear
- injuries of eye
- injuries of face [any part]
- injuries of gum
- injuries of jaw
- injuries of oral cavity
- injuries of palate
- injuries of periocular area
- injuries of scalp
- injuries of temporomandibular joint area
- injuries of tongue
- injuries of tooth
Inclusion terms
Conditions classified to this code.
- Injury of optic radiation
Notes
Also from chapter/block level (2 notes)
- Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
- The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.
Alphabetic Index terms
Terms the official Alphabetic Index lists for this code. 2 entries