{"h1":"ICD-11 Classification for Visual Impairment (9D90)","faq":[{"a":"Visual Impairment is classified at code 9D90 in ICD-11-MMS, within the chapter on diseases of the visual system.","q":"What is the ICD-11 code for Visual Impairment?"},{"a":"It uses presenting or best-corrected visual acuity and visual field, broadly aligned with WHO bands: mild (worse than 6/12), moderate (worse than 6/18), severe (worse than 6/60) and blindness (worse than 3/60 or a field within 10 degrees), applied to the better eye.","q":"How does ICD-11 grade visual impairment severity?"},{"a":"No. 9D90 captures the functional impact. The underlying ocular or neurological cause — such as cortical visual impairment, refractive error or retinal pathology — is coded separately and should accompany the functional classification.","q":"Does 9D90 describe the cause of the visual impairment?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-visual-impairment","title":"ICD-11 Classification for Visual Impairment (9D90)","entity":{"key":"visual-impairment","kind":"condition","name":"Visual Impairment","slug":null},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Doctor","value":"doctor"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Sensory","value":"sensory"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Definition","value":"definition"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"}],"parent":{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-current-research-show-about-early-intervention-outcomes-for-visual-impairment-in-children-under-7","title":"Early Intervention Outcomes for Visual Impairment in Children Under 7"},{"lang":"en","slug":"which-ichi-health-interventions-apply-to-visual-impairment-in-young-children","title":"ICHI Interventions for Visual Impairment in Young Children"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-visual-impairment","title":"SNOMED CT concept for Visual Impairment"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-visual-impairment","title":"What is Visual Impairment?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-visual-impairment-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Visual Impairment and its ICD-11 early-childhood features?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"which-icf-functioning-domains-does-visual-impairment-affect-in-early-childhood","title":"ICF Domains Affected by Visual Impairment in Early Childhood"}],"summary":"In ICD-11-MMS, Visual Impairment is classified at 9D90 within the visual system chapter. It is a functioning-based category grading reduced acuity and visual field loss — mild, moderate, severe and blindness — applied to the better eye with best correction, and paired separately with the underlying aetiological diagnosis.","answer_md":"*When a child's vision limits how they explore, learn and connect, precise classification is the first step to coordinated support.*\n\n## In short\nIn **ICD-11-MMS**, Visual Impairment is coded at **9D90**, sitting within the chapter on diseases of the visual system. It is a functioning-based classification that grades reduced visual acuity and visual field loss — ranging from mild and moderate impairment through severe impairment to blindness — applied to the better eye with best available correction. The category captures the *functional* consequence of an underlying ocular or neurological cause, which is coded separately, rather than the disease mechanism itself.\n\n## The classification, briefly\nICD-11 defines visual impairment by presenting or best-corrected distance and near visual acuity and by visual field extent, broadly aligning with WHO severity bands:\n\n- **Mild** — visual acuity worse than 6/12\n- **Moderate** — worse than 6/18\n- **Severe** — worse than 6/60\n- **Blindness** — worse than 3/60, or a visual field constricted to within 10 degrees\n\nBecause ICD-11 is built on the WHO framework of functioning, **9D90** describes the impact on the child's everyday function and is intended to be paired with the aetiological diagnosis (for example, cortical/cerebral visual impairment, refractive error, retinal or optic-nerve pathology) and, where relevant, ICF descriptors. For the developing child, early visual impairment is developmentally significant: it shapes motor, language, social and cognitive trajectories, so functional classification should drive a habilitation plan, not sit in isolation.\n\n## When to refer\nAny suspected reduced fixation, abnormal eye movements, photophobia, or failure to make and hold eye contact warrants prompt paediatric ophthalmology and developmental review. Early, accurate classification enables vision stimulation, environmental adaptation and multidisciplinary developmental support to begin without delay.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nAbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from a code or an online form. We translate a functional classification like 9D90 into a working developmental profile, then a plan the family can follow. Explore [how we work](/), our [occupational therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/best-occupational-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) for vision-affected development, and [what the AbilityScore is and how it is calculated](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated).\n\n## Trusted sources\nWHO ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics (visual system chapter); WHO guidance on vision and severity bands; WHO ICF framework of functioning.\n\n**Next step —** Refer a child with suspected visual impairment for a coordinated developmental review — [partner with a Pinnacle centre](/).\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-visual-impairment","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-visual-impairment","lang":"en","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"}],"meta_title":"Visual Impairment: ICD-11 Code 9D90","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"When documenting, pair the 9D90 functional grade with the aetiological diagnosis and severity band so the habilitation plan reflects both cause and functional impact.","published_at":"2026-06-10T10:52:00.07543+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"understand","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-visual-impairment-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Visual Impairment and its ICD-11 early-childhood features?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-visual-impairment","title":"What is Visual Impairment?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-visual-impairment","title":"SNOMED CT concept for Visual Impairment","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"which-icf-functioning-domains-does-visual-impairment-affect-in-early-childhood","title":"ICF Domains Affected by Visual Impairment in Early Childhood","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-current-research-show-about-early-intervention-outcomes-for-visual-impairment-in-children-under-7","title":"Early Intervention Outcomes for Visual Impairment in Children Under 7","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-visual-impairment-affect-a-child-s-daily-life","title":"How Visual Impairment Affects a Child's Daily Life","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-visual-impairment-considered-a-disability","title":"Is Visual Impairment Considered a Disability?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-visual-impairment-genetic-or-hereditary","title":"Is Visual Impairment Genetic or Hereditary?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-common-myths-about-visual-impairment","title":"What are common myths about Visual Impairment?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-visual-impairment","title":"What are the types or levels of Visual Impairment?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-visual-impairment-in-children","title":"What causes visual impairment in children?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-visual-impairment-and-what-does-it-look-like-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Visual Impairment, and what does it look like in early childhood?","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Understand the subject","total":13},{"key":"signs","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-clinical-red-flags-for-visual-impairment-warrant-referral-in-a-young-child","title":"Visual Impairment Red Flags in Young Children","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-early-indicators-of-visual-impairment-should-a-paediatrician-watch-for","title":"What early indicators of Visual Impairment should a paediatrician watch for?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-a-doctor-refer-a-child-with-suspected-visual-impairment-for-developmental-therapy","title":"When to Refer a Child with Suspected Visual Impairment for Developmental Therapy","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-visual-impairment-be-cured","title":"Can Visual Impairment Be Cured?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-visual-impairment-be-prevented","title":"Can Visual Impairment Be Prevented?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"do-boys-show-visual-impairment-differently","title":"Do boys show visual impairment differently?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"do-girls-show-visual-impairment-differently","title":"Do girls show visual impairment differently?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-frontline-health-worker-spot-a-child-with-possible-visual-impairment-early","title":"How a Frontline Health Worker Can Spot Possible Visual Impairment Early","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"should-i-be-worried-my-child-might-have-visual-impairment","title":"Should I be worried my child might have Visual Impairment?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-visual-impairment","title":"What are the early signs of Visual Impairment?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-visual-impairment-in-a-1-year-old-boy","title":"Early Signs of Visual Impairment in a 1-Year-Old Boy","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-early-signs-of-visual-impairment-in-a-1-year-old-girl","title":"Early Signs of Visual Impairment in a 1-Year-Old Girl","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Recognise signs & concerns","total":47},{"key":"causes","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-known-contributing-factors-for-visual-impairment-in-early-childhood","title":"Contributing Factors for Visual Impairment in Early Childhood","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"are-boys-more-likely-to-have-visual-impairment","title":"Are boys more likely to have visual impairment?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"are-girls-more-likely-to-have-visual-impairment","title":"Are girls more likely to have visual impairment?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-early-intervention-for-visual-impairment-advance-un-child-rights-uncrpd-and-the-sdgs","title":"Early Intervention for Visual Impairment & UN Child Rights","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-visual-impairment-in-young-children","title":"What causes visual impairment in young children?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-cost-effectiveness-of-early-therapy-for-visual-impairment-in-young-children","title":"Cost-Effectiveness of Early Therapy for Visual Impairment in Young Children","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-prevalence-and-public-health-burden-of-visual-impairment-among-young-children-in-india","title":"Visual Impairment in young children: India's prevalence and public-health burden","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Explore causes & influences","total":7},{"key":"assess","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-recommended-screening-and-diagnostic-pathway-for-visual-impairment-in-children-under-7","title":"Screening and diagnostic pathway for Visual Impairment under 7","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-abilityscore-track-progress-in-a-child-with-visual-impairment","title":"How AbilityScore tracks progress in Visual Impairment","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-is-visual-impairment-assessed-in-a-young-child","title":"How Visual Impairment Is Assessed in a Young Child","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-is-visual-impairment-assessed-in-children-under-7","title":"How Visual Impairment Is Assessed in Children Under 7","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-mean-for-a-child-with-visual-impairment","title":"AbilityScore 0–100 for a child with visual impairment","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-mean-for-a-child-with-visual-impairment","title":"AbilityScore 100–200 in Visual Impairment","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-mean-for-a-child-with-visual-impairment","title":"AbilityScore 200–300 and visual impairment, explained for parents","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-mean-for-a-child-with-visual-impairment","title":"AbilityScore 300–400 in Visual Impairment","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-mean-for-a-child-with-visual-impairment","title":"AbilityScore® 400–500 with Visual Impairment","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-mean-for-a-child-with-visual-impairment","title":"What does an AbilityScore of 500–600 mean for a child with Visual Impairment?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-600-700-mean-for-a-child-with-visual-impairment","title":"What an AbilityScore of 600–700 Means for Visual Impairment","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-an-abilityscore-of-700-800-mean-for-a-child-with-visual-impairment","title":"What does an AbilityScore of 700–800 mean for a child with Visual Impairment?","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Understand assessment","total":16},{"key":"therapy","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"which-ichi-health-interventions-apply-to-visual-impairment-in-young-children","title":"ICHI Interventions for Visual Impairment in Young Children","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-grandparent-or-caregiver-how-can-i-support-a-child-with-visual-impairment-day-to-day","title":"How Caregivers Can Support a Child with Visual Impairment","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-a-child-with-visual-impairment-attend-a-mainstream-school","title":"Can a child with visual impairment attend a mainstream school?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-a-child-with-visual-impairment-attend-a-regular-school","title":"Can a child with visual impairment attend a regular school?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-a-child-with-visual-impairment-grow-up-to-live-independently","title":"Can a child with visual impairment live independently?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-classroom-teacher-help-a-child-with-visual-impairment-take-part-and-learn","title":"How a Teacher Can Help a Child with Visual Impairment Learn","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-district-early-intervention-programme-identify-and-support-children-under-7-with-visual-impairment","title":"Identifying and supporting under-7s with visual impairment in a district programme","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-include-and-support-a-young-child-with-visual-impairment-in-a-mainstream-classroom","title":"How a teacher can include a child with Visual Impairment","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-we-support-sensory-development-in-a-child-with-visual-impairment","title":"How to Support Sensory Development in a Child with Visual Impairment","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-therapy-help-a-child-with-visual-impairment-make-progress","title":"How therapy helps a child with visual impairment progress","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-is-visual-impairment-diagnosed-in-a-child","title":"How Visual Impairment Is Diagnosed in a Child","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-is-visual-impairment-supported-through-therapy","title":"How is Visual Impairment supported through therapy?","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Explore therapy & support","total":61},{"key":"home","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-i-support-my-child-with-visual-impairment-at-home","title":"How can I support my child with Visual Impairment at home?","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"At home & in everyday life","total":1}],"what_to_watch":"Reduced or absent fixation, abnormal or roving eye movements, photophobia, failure to follow faces or objects, and delayed reach-for-vision milestones — each warrants prompt ophthalmology and developmental referral.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://icd.who.int/","code":"9D90","label":"WHO ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics"},{"url":"https://www.who.int/","label":"WHO guidance on vision and visual impairment"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T10:52:00.07543+00:00","meta_description":"Visual Impairment is classified at ICD-11-MMS code 9D90 — a functioning-based grading of reduced acuity and visual field, from mild to blindness.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}