9D90.6

ICD-11 MMS 2026-01

Blindness

Description

The numerical definition used for WHO statistics refers to profound, near-total or total loss. The functional definition refers to individuals who have little or no residual vision and who have to rely predominantly on vision substitution skills, i.e. on using senses other than vision (Braille or talking books for reading, a long cane or guide dog for mobility, or touch for manipulation).

Coding note from above levels

For capturing and coding of “No vision impairment”, use QA00.62 (QA00.6 Examination of eyes or vision).

Index terms

  • Blindness
  • acquired amaurosis
  • acquired blindness
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  • acquired blindness, one eye
  • amaurosis
  • blind eye
  • blindness left eye
  • blindness of one eye
  • blindness right eye
  • blindness, both eyes
  • congenital amaurosis
  • congenital blindness
  • no vision left eye
  • no vision right eye
  • one eye blind
  • unilateral blindness
  • visual impairment categories 4, 5, 6 in both eyes
  • visual impairment categories 4, 5, 6 in one eye [normal vision in other eye]
  • visual impairment categories 4, 5, 6 in one eye and categories 1, 2, 3 or 9 in the other eye
  • visual impairment category 5
  • Profound vision disability
  • “blindness” – WHO
  • Total vision impairment
  • NLP - [no light perception]

Inclusions

  • visual impairment categories 4, 5, 6 in both eyes
  • visual impairment categories 4, 5, 6 in one eye [normal vision in other eye]
  • visual impairment categories 4, 5, 6 in one eye and categories 1, 2, 3 or 9 in the other eye
  • visual impairment category 5

Exclusions from above levels

  • 01 – Certain infectious or parasitic diseases
  • 05 – Endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases
  • 18 – Complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
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  • 19 – Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period
  • 22 – Injury, poisoning or certain other consequences of external causes
  • 8A21.0 – Posterior cortical atrophy

Sibling codes

  • 9D90.1 – Mild vision impairment
  • 9D90.2 – Moderate vision impairment
  • 9D90.3 – Severe vision impairment
  • 9D90.7 – Near vision impairment

Foundation entity

Blindness – http://id.who.int/icd/entity/49873717

Allowed postcoordination axes

Part of: 9D90: Vision impairment including blindness › 09: Diseases of the visual system