Eye Problems Resulting in Disability Insurance Claim
The disability insurance lawyers at Dell & Schaefer are experienced in representing clients whose eye disease or disorder caused them to miss work, or become unable to work. We understand how significantly eye disease limits your abilities to earn a living. In many cases a claimant’s eye condition is a chronic degenerative condition. Disability companies will often argue that a person has been working with their vision limitation and therefore should be able to continue working. We often deal with the argument of what legally blind means in order for a person to be considered presumptively disabled. The disability company will also make unreasonable arguments about accommodations that should be made in order for the claimant to continue working with limited vision. In order to give you the best chance of collecting shor tor long term disability benefits, we work closely with your treating physicians and medical professionals who are experts in the their fields.
Call us for a free initial consultation to discuss your disability claim. One of our lawyers will speak with you immediately.
Our Disability Lawyers Have Helped Hundreds of Claimants with Disabling Eye Conditions
There are more than 40 different eye diseases that can cause a person to have significant vision limitations. Vision limitations are often associated with other medical conditions which could be caused by a stroke, seizure, brain injury, neurological disorder, or vestibular disorder. Through our years of experience we have had the opportunity to work closely and learn from the countries best ophthalmologist. Our clients received the benefit of our detailed medical and legal knowledge. This knowledge is necessary in order for us to help present your case in the strongest manner possible. Once we get involved with your claim, our lawyers will analyze all of the records and provide advice as to what it will take in order for your claim to have the best chance of approval.
What to Do When You Need Help Dealing with Your Disability Insurance Claim
Contact the disability insurance attorneys at Dell & Schaefer today. We work with people every day who are not receiving satisfactory results from their disability insurance companies. We will review your disability policy and let your know immediately if we can assist you. Please review the resolved cases and testimonials section of our site to learn more about how we can help you.
Resources for Eye Disease
There are many valuable sources of eye disease information available. You can also acecss resources over the internet such as:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Medicine Plus (a service of the U.S. National Library of medicine and the National Institutes of Health)
- Vision Health Initiative – Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Graphical Illustration of the Anatomy of The Eye
There are numerous charities dedicated to eye disease research, detection and treatment including:
Hello, I have had low vision since birth (lets say 20/200 in both eyes after correction). A combination of cataracts and aniridia. I don’t consider either “degenerative”. I have managed a reasonably successful career. What, if anything, could I look for in a disability insurance policy that would cover me in case my eyes were to worsen from some other disease, glaucoma for example? I am 47. Is this possible, or would this be too nuanced for the insurer re “preexisting conditions”?
Anonymous,
With respect to purchasing a private disability insurance policy, you will need to consult with an agent to determine what your options would be in purchasing a policy that would suit your needs.
I was diagnosed with Fuchs Dystrophy in January. This cornea disease affects both my eyes and my right eye is worse than my left. It only affects 1% of people. I am trying to find out if I would qualify for long term disability which I have at my job or SSI disability.
Thank you.
Lori,
If you are covered under your employer’s disability plan and there are no concerns as it relates to a pre-existing condition, then you would be eligible for benefits. That being said, eligibility for benefits and the benefit being approved are two separate matters. Without understanding the language in your policy, your medical records or the duties of your occupation it would be hard to provide any opinion as to the likelihood of your claim being approved. Please feel free to contact are office to discuss how we may be able to assist you in filing a claim for benefits under your employer LTD policy.
I am legally blind in one eye. I can see out the other eye with corrective vision of 20/40. Some days my good eye can reach 20/30. The problem with the good eye is the extra strain that I put on it has caused severe head aches for me. My balance is off due the blindness in the left eye. The right eye now has a sharp pain in it daily. I clean with goggles on to keep the good eye protected.
I have muscular degenerative disease and myopia. I tried to apply for disability in 2004 and was turned down. As a child my mother got disability for me and wanted me to blend with the normal. I was taught to hide my blindness.
I am now unemployed after years of employment. Pre-employment physicals deter me because I DO NOT want employers to know my condition. I have tried to avoid being discriminated against. In former employment I over achieved to hide my disability. I have three years of perfect attendance. I arrived at work one hour early to hide my struggle to park towards the curb. It has been a struggle for years.
The more rest the better I feel and the right eye is able to focus more. Without vision corrections both eyes are 20/200 (legally blind). There can be no corrections with the left eye.
Is there any real help for me. I am aware of rehabilitation programs. I have had several devices to increase my vision. I have the Color coder(tells me color of my outfits), telescope lens on my glasses to read signs at a distance(do not work), talking watch, zoom text computer(talks) and other devices to stay functional. These things do not take away my struggle.
I have a driver’s license thanks to my doctor. I ONLY feel at ease driving in the day time. Evening is a struggle and I avoid it as much as possible.
Basic task are becoming hard for me. My surrounding has to be the same all the time. Are there any cases won for blindness in one eye to earn disability?
Blind Eye Bandit,
If you do not have private disability insurance coverage then your only option would be to avail yourself of Social Security disability benefits and will need to consult with an attorney specializing in same. Please feel free to contact our office and we can assist you in finding a qualified SSDI attorney.
I have fuchs dystrophy for about 15 years. Never thought it was a damaging eye issues, well not no more, it costed me a good job. Since I had to file for disability and I keep hearing everybody gets turned down at first… got doctor’s prove how bad… so I am waiting.
Will I get turned down? They just owe more backpay…
Azeye,
Please feel free to contact us should your insurance carrier deny your claim for benefits.
I am legally blind in my right eye since birth. I have 20/20 in my left eye and worst than 20/200. I have had numerous eye surgeries and wore glasses when I was young. I was born with what doctors call Dwayne’s Disease. Meaning I can’t make out what I am seeing out of my right eye, also have lazy eye. I have a job, but due to my vision I can not drive out of Texas with my CDL, so I had to let it go. It costs to much for vision waivers and Medical cards. Can I get some kind of benefits to help me with my income?
Alex,
If you do not have private disability insurance coverage your only option may be to apply for social security disability benefits (if you meet the requirements).
My father has ocular toxoplasmosis that has caused him to be blind in one eye and low vision in the other, in fact he is legally blind. The episode that caused this was when he was a child. Though he is not a high school graduate, he has always been a hard worker and has worked for the same company for the past 20 years as a maintenance man (store up-keep not a janitor). He has always compensated well, it was not until I was in middle school that I realized that went to a school for the blind or that kind of thing. He is now in his mid-fifties and age on his one good has made him realize he will not be able to work much longer. His plan is to try to get long term disability until retirement. I am just worried they may not cover this as it was something he has had since birth.
Jeff,
Does your father have coverage through a disability insurance policy through his employer or a policy he purchased on his own? If so, there would be the ability to file a claim under same. If not, his option would be to file for Social Security disability. We do not handle SSDI claims but can assist you in finding a lawyer that can.
I am a dentist that has been practicing for 6 years now, and just found out that I will most likely lose vision in my left eye due to a detached retina. I have private disability insurance and I also have disability insurance through my employer. Would loss of vision in my one eye qualify me for the disability insurances that I currently have?
Todd,
If your condition would affect your ability to perform the duties of your occupation, then arguably yes. Please feel free to contact our office to discuss your situation and for a free review of your disability policies.
I have 20/400 vision in my left eye due to injury a child. I have nerve damage so there is no recovering the vision in that eye. This makes me ineligible for many jobs. I am wondering if I could receive a portion of disability.
Scott,
As it does not appear that you have private or employer provided disability insurance coverage your only option would be to file for social security disability if you meet the requirements as to same. You will need to consult with an attorney that handles SSDI claims to see if you have a viable claim to be made under the SSA rules.
I have a macular degenerative eye problem in both eyes. With glasses my left eye is 20/40 right is currently 20/20—however even that 20/20 image is good only over a very limited viewing area, and it is getting worse. Reading is slow. My doctor indicated that without injections I would not be able to work, and soon this may not be enough. I have private disability through my employer with metlife (http://www.usg.edu/hr/benefits_docs/BOR_STD_LTD_Plan_Summary_FINAL.pdf ). My condition is impacting the quality of my work and ability to work already (slows me down and I miss things visually). I teach at a university and therefore read a great deal for work. Often reading is handwritten work by students, and also very small print informational briefs by my bosses. I can’t make out the smallest print at all. I am not sure what accommodations will allow me to continue working in the near future, but am also not certain I meet the standards for long term disability. How do I predetermine with metlife, my eligibility (now or in the future) without losing anonymity? I fear very realistically, jeopardizing workplace evaluations, raises, possible promotions.
Tom,
Unfortunately there is no way to pre-determine disability benefits with MetLife, as MetLife will only ever consider entitlement to benefits following an application for same.
I have a Lazy eye or amblyopia, do you think I could apply for Sort term or long term disability?
Rod, do you have a disability insurance policy through your employer or that you purchased on your own? If so, does your condition prevent you from performing the duties of your occupation? If yes to both then you may be able to make a claim under the policy.
I am legally blind with RP. I work at a good company with benefits but I had to end my normal job due to safety concerns. I am currently working on side projects for the company but feel this will run out soon, especially since they have been doing some serious lay-offs recently. How do I start the disability process before I end up getting laid off and can I use my companies short term disability plan to bridge the gap to long term disability? In the past I have use the short term disability for stress and anxiety in regards to losing my vision. Is this the best route to take? Getting laid off would be the worst case scenario for me as I don’t have any career prospects after this and I have been counting on the help from my employers disability plans.
RT, please feel free to contact our office to discuss how we may be able to assist you in applying for benefits. Having copies of your policies in advance would be helpful. Also, if you are working side projects are you a full time employee with full benefits? If your company changed your duties there could be a chance they potentially changed your coverage.
I had a stroke 15 months ago losing significant part of my right eye (missing the middle and right side) and some of the right quadrant of my left eye.
I have continued to do my job (I am manage 9 bio recycling plants across the country).
Since the stroke I have had 4 accidents (all on right side where I am missing vision). I have had way too many close calls
Additionally I have more difficulty reading, get headache.
I am not keeping up and fear I will lose my job.
Jim, does your company offer disability insurance coverage? If so, are you eligible for benefits under the policy/enrolled for coverage? Please feel free to contact our office with a copy of your policy to discuss how we may be able to assist you in applying for benefits.
Hello! I have been diagnosed with ocular histoplasmosis, I was wondering if this would qualify me for disability?
Jessica, if it prevents you from working then it could be disabling. Do you have a disability policy? If so, please contact us with a copy of the policy to discuss your options.
I suffered a retinal detachment and am finding it extremely difficult to perform my job. As a Project Manager Construction site hazards, combined with wavy vision and depth perception is horrible. Sunny days are torture Can’t read documents without strain or mag glass. Suffer headaches and sensation of sharp pain in that eye. Exhausting and zaps energy. Prolonged pc work seems to aggravate both eyes. Mutual life supplemental, mi Erisa managed
“What to do”, please contact our office with a copy of the policy so we can review same and best advise you on filing a claim for benefits.
I have macular degeneration (dry) and it has progressively gotten worse . I am a practicing dentist and it has become very difficult for me to perform my job even with magnification and illumination . I have a small 4000.00 / month Unum disability policy. I’ve found them extremely difficult to work with . They want to count income coming into my office against me even though I am not the doctor performing the procedure. They say , well , you are still bringing in money to the office and the office is profitable . What they don’t consider is that I have to pay these people handsomely as doctors to do my job . I am considering filing a full disability claim . I will stop seeing patients in the chair but I would like to continue to own my office and act as a mentor and consultant . If I can’t practice dentistry anymore because of my macular degeneration , shouldn’t I be able to file for my disability and continue in another capacity. I have had this policy for 30 years
Don, please contact our office to discuss your claim. We will need to see a copy of the disability policy to determine if Unum is properly applying income to offset your claim.
In my younger days, I was a pilot. While I always had poor vision (>20/400 corrected 20/20), I had two surgeries for vision correction, a radial K in my left eye and a PRK in my right eye. While my vision was improved to a weak 20/20, it left my eyes astigmatic.It also made my night vision less than desirable with halos and starbursts around lights.
Fast forward, I am now 62. I am a Captain Instructor Pilot teaching/checking in simulators in heavy jets. Simulation instruction is done in a darkened environment which requires pretty good vision to not only see the Instructor panel, but also the instruments and students up front.
I have developed floaters in both eyes and with age it is becoming increasingly difficult to do my job like I used to. I have paid for years now on a disability policy through private insurance. Not if, but when I get to the point I can no longer do my job effectively, will I be able to collect from that policy I paid years on or are they going to fight it. I need to check this now because I think it is sooner rather than later that I may need to do this. Thank you for the consult.
Captain, please feel free to contact our office to discuss how we can assist you in filing a claim for disability. We will need to see a copy of your disability policy to best advise you of your rights and options under the policy.
Hi, my name is Elizabeth and I am currently working as a nurse I recently purchased the short-term disability this January 2017. Previous to that I did have a retina tear but did not have a Detachment, they did cryosurgery to repair that little tear and then in January after the insurance went into a fact I did have a complete retina detachment. They have now denied me my short-term disability benefits saying that this was a pre-existing condition. Is this correct and do I have any rights when it comes to the eye that one cause the other? Thank you.
Elizabeth, based on the language in your policy it could be deemed a pre-existing condition that would be precluded from coverage. Many times the pre-existing condition language applies to generalized areas/conditions so that if your disabling condition is the result of, or stems from a condition you had prior to coverage you were seeking treatment for it would be deemed pre-existing. Please feel free to contact our office to discuss your claim to determine if there is some way we could be of assistance.
I just took my DOT physical in Pa. And my right Eye was 20/50. Eye doc told the Medical examiner that nothing can be done. So medical Examiner told me to apply for Federal wavier and it takes 3-6 months to get approved. Is this short term disability? Company said no. Others say yes.
Frank, without seeing an insurance policy it relates to I would not be able to say. You may need to speak with an attorney that handles Federal employment matters. If you do have a formal short/long term disability plan from your employer please feel free to contact our office to discuss your situation.
I have had a lazy right eye since birth. Had eye surgery at three but only some cosmetic results. No binocular vision. As a CPA my good right eye’s vision has deteriorated and cannot function. At work, suffer from dizziness as my eyes have not responded well to the trifocal eye glasses my eye doctor prescripted 6 months ago. Get very dizzy if I have to move my head or walk. I am a self employed CPA so I have been able to mask my disability by not working in the morning and evening when my vision is especially poor and later in day eye strain and constant dizziness. For last 25 years I also hide my disability by using a magnifying glass to see even though I wore my reading glasses. Can I work and still collect disability? As I can not give up my life’s work.
Evan, if you have a disability insurance policy please feel free to contact our office for a review of same so we can best advise you of your options in applying for disability.
A few days ago I lost all vision in my left eye. After much testing and multiple doctors I have discovered that it is a rare syndrome that can take a couple weeks to a couple months to heal on its own. The doctor doesn’t seem to be concerned with my going back to work. However, I cannot drive due to this and have no other mode of transportation where I am at outside of paying for an Uber twice a day every day. I work in the cosmetics industry and it will be very difficult to fully and actively do my job with one eye.
Will I be able to apply for short term disability without a Doctor saying I need to be out of work??
Thank you in advance for you advice.
Jami, do you have a disability insurance policy from your employer? If so we can discuss how we can assist you in filing a claim for same. If you do not have private disability coverage you would need to discuss your options under the Social Security system with an attorney that handle Social Security disability claims.
Hi I’m a 41 year old male. I was medically retire from my job due to glaucoma. I have disability insurance with unum. They are giving me a hard time. Should I be eligible for my benefits?
Thomas, without knowing more about your claim and medical information we would not be able to determine. Please feel free to contact our office to discuss your situation in detail.
Hi. I was diagnosed with graves disease and graves eye disease. I have been out of work for one month. Dr ordered I have a short term disability policy through my employer, my FMLA was approved but disability keeps giving me the run around, is this covered?
Tammy, whether a particular condition rises to the level of disabling is not based on the diagnosis but rather the functional restrictions and limitations you suffer as a result of your medical condition(s). The carrier has 45-days to make a determination and up to two 30-day extensions if necessary, so it appears your claim is still within the initial claim determination period. If you have more specific questions I suggest you contact our office and speak with one of the attorneys regarding your claim situation.
Do you have any experience with someone dealing with ocular flutter or Oscillopsia as it pertains to disability coverage?
Erica, our attorneys have experience in a wide range of conditions involving visual impairment. I suggest you contact our office and speak with one of the attorneys to address any questions you have regarding your specific situation.
Hello, my husband has had a detached retina in which he has had surgery on 2 occasions. He now has a type of band behind his eye. It is described as a rubber band that holds the retina in place. He was told that lifting anything more than 50 lbs, may result in total blindness in his right eye. He has also been told to keep his head above his heart even when sleeping. My husband is a construction worker by trade and has to lift heavy objects all the time. For about 3 years, he has not worked due to this. He does odd jobs just to help out. Would he be a candidate for disability? Thanks A Broke Wife!
Tammy, I am sorry to hear of the issues your husband is having. The fact that he has not worked for three years makes me wonder if he has any coverage under a long term disability insurance policy. If he does, he should certainly apply for benefits as most policies state that if he is unable to perform the duties of his own occupation, then he is eligible for benefits for at least 24 months in most situations. He also may be eligible for social security disability benefits.
Please contact our firm for a free consultation so that we can discuss his potential claim.
Hi – My husband has Best’s Disease also called vitelliform macular degeneration, which affects his central vision. He works in sales and has to drive frequently and use a computer daily for work. He has been able to do his job without major problems until the last year or so. He has had a lot of near misses while driving in regards to other cars and traffic lights, etc. He has also been able to increase the font sizes on his monitor to help him see better. He sees a low vision specialist and has other low vision aides. He enjoys his work and doesn’t want to stop but I’m worried he may need to apply for his company’s Short or Long term disability. Because Best’s Disease is something he was born with, does he even qualify?
Jennifer, I am sorry to hear of your husband’s struggles. The answer to your question is likely yes, he would qualify so long as he has been covered under the policies for some time (greater than a year). However, I cannot give a true answer without reviewing the actual policies as every policy is different. If you can get copies of the policies, please contact us for a free consultation and we will gladly review the policies.
Hello,
I have been suffering from ocular histoplasmosis in both eyes for many years now. I’ve evidently had it since I was a young child. I have it in both eyes… I’m 56 years old now and I can’t hide this disability anylonger. The disease has also given me ringing of the ears. I’ve been to eye specialists and all I can do is wear magnifying glasses at work and they make me so nauseous. By the end of my shift I’m in tears… and I can’t see trying to drive home. It’s truely scary for me. I have to work but this disease has reached new levels thats making it impossible for me to continue. The lesions are in the periphial vision and surgery is expensive and I have a 50 percent chance of worsening my eyesight. I need your advice in this crucial matter. Any help or advice?
Judith, if your employer provides you with long-term disability insurance and you are unable to function effectively in your occupation you may be able to make a claim. However, you should contact our office to discuss filing your disability claim since timing and what you submit to the disability insurance is crucial.