Other optic nerve and visual pathway disorders
Also known as: Disorders of the visual pathways or centres, unspecified
General information only. Anpheros does not diagnose and does not recommend treatment. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your situation. In an emergency, call 112 (or your local emergency number).
In short
The optic nerve is a bundle of more than 1 million nerve fibers that connects the back of each eye to the brain, and damage to it can cause vision loss in one or both eyes depending on where the damage occurs. Optic nerve disorders include glaucoma, which is often caused by rising fluid pressure inside the eyes, and optic neuritis, which is an inflammation of the nerve that can be caused by infections or immune-related illnesses. Other disorders include optic nerve atrophy, which is damage caused by poor blood flow, disease, trauma, or toxic substances, and optic nerve head drusen, which are protein and calcium salt buildups. Tests for these disorders may include eye exams, ophthalmoscopy, and imaging tests, and treatment depends on the specific disorder.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
AI-generated summary of the sources cited on this page, checked automatically against them. Not reviewed by a clinician; not medical advice.
Codes
Description
The optic nerve is a bundle of more than 1 million nerve fibers that carry visual messages. You have one connecting the back of each eye (your retina) to your brain. Damage to an optic nerve can cause vision loss. The type of vision loss and how severe it is depends on where the damage occurs. It may affect one or both eyes.
There are many different types of optic nerve disorders, including:
- Glaucoma is a group of diseases that are the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma usually happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises and damages the optic nerve.
- Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve. Causes include infections and immune-related illnesses such as multiple sclerosis. Sometimes the cause is unknown.
- Optic nerve atrophy is damage to the optic nerve. Causes include poor blood flow to the eye, disease, trauma, or exposure to toxic substances.
- Optic nerve head drusen are pockets of protein and calcium salts that build up in the optic nerve over time
Contact your health care provider if you are having vision problems. Tests for optic nerve disorders may include eye exams, ophthalmoscopy (an examination of the back of your eye), and imaging tests. Treatment depends on which disorder that you have. With some optic nerve disorders, you may get your vision back. With others, there is no treatment, or treatment may only prevent further vision loss.
Next to it in ICD-10
- H40Glaucoma or glaucoma suspect, unspecified
- H42Glaucoma in other diseases
- H46Other specified optic neuritis
- H52Refractive errors (short sight, long sight, astigmatism)
- H54Visual impairment and blindness
- H81Balance disorders of the inner ear (vestibular disorders)
Neighbouring codes in the classification, not a medical link.
External resources
Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for Other optic nerve and visual pathway disorders?
H47 (WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision).
What is the ICD-11 code for Other optic nerve and visual pathway disorders?
9C4Z: Disorders of the visual pathways or centres, unspecified (WHO, ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics).
Sources and attribution
- ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, © World Health Organization, licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO.
- Names other than the official source titles: Anpheros translations and plain-language names, made with AI assistance and checked automatically; the source names are in English.
- Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- ICD-10 codes and titles © World Health Organization. Source: WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (2019).
Anpheros Search catalog 2026.10.5, published 17 October 2026. About the data →
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