Retinopathy and Long-Term Disability Insurance Claims

Retinopathy can severely impair vision and make it difficult—or even impossible—to continue working. Whether caused by diabetes, hypertension, radiation, or another medical condition, retinopathy often leads to progressive vision loss that impacts both daily activities and professional responsibilities. If you’re struggling to maintain employment due to vision problems, long-term disability (LTD) benefits may be available. However, securing those benefits can be challenging without strong medical and legal support.

In this article, we explain how retinopathy affects your ability to work, what evidence strengthens a claim, common mistakes claimants make, and how an experienced long-term disability attorney can help if your claim is denied.

What Is Retinopathy?

Retinopathy occurs when the retina—the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye—is damaged. This damage disrupts vision and can cause permanent blindness.

Common Causes of Retinopathy

• Diabetic Retinopathy: A leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. The risk increases if blood sugar is not managed well.
• Hypertensive Retinopathy: Caused by long-term high blood pressure damaging blood vessels in the retina.
• Radiation or Trauma-related Retinopathy: Retinal vasculopathy resulting from radiation to the orbit, globe, head or neck.
• Sickle Cell Retinopathy: Results in abnormal blood vessel growth and thinning of the retina.

Symptoms and Complications

Symptoms vary by severity but often include:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Floaters or dark spots
• Vision loss, particularly in low light
• Trouble focusing or seeing fine detail

Without treatment, symptoms may worsen over time, leading to permanent vision loss or blindness.

Is Retinopathy a Disability?

Yes—if your vision problems prevent you from performing your job safely or effectively, retinopathy can qualify as a disability under most long-term disability insurance policies.

The most common mistake I see claimants make is assuming that partial vision means they won’t qualify. Insurers don’t just look at whether you can see at all—they look at whether you can sustain work activity at a competitive level. Even moderate vision loss can interfere with productivity, accuracy, and safety.

How Retinopathy Limits Your Ability to Work

Visual function is essential in nearly every occupation. Depending on your job, even mild vision loss can have serious consequences. Examples of work limitations include:

• Office Professionals: Difficulty reading screens, reviewing documents, or navigating meetings due to glare and eye fatigue.
• Skilled Trades and Laborers: Inability to safely operate tools or machinery.
• Drivers and Delivery Personnel: Loss of depth perception or peripheral vision makes driving unsafe.
• Healthcare Professionals: Reduced precision in visually demanding procedures.

Even with assistive technology, fluctuations in vision, fatigue, and safety risks can make consistent employment unrealistic.

Evidence Needed for a Retinopathy Long-Term Disability Claim

Insurance companies require strong, objective medical documentation to approve a vision-related disability claim. Key evidence includes:

• Ophthalmologic Records: Detailed notes from a retina specialist or ophthalmologist.
• Diagnostic Imaging: Optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography, or fundus photography documenting retinal damage.
• Visual Acuity and Field Tests: To quantify impairment and monitor changes over time.
• Functional Vision Assessments: Descriptions of how your vision loss affects specific work tasks.
• Treatment Records: Include documentation of any injections (vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors), laser treatments, or surgery.
• Comorbid Condition Records: Especially diabetes or hypertension, if applicable.

A persuasive claim connects medical findings directly to how your vision limitations prevent sustained employment.

Common Reasons Insurers Deny Retinopathy Claims

Vision-related LTD claims are often denied for reasons such as:

• Lack of “Objective” Evidence: Subjective symptoms without clear imaging or test results.
• Residual Capacity Arguments: Claims that you can still perform sedentary work.
• Video Surveillance: Used to dispute your reported limitations.
• Non-specialist Reviewers: Internal physicians who misinterpret visual impairments or underestimate their vocational impact.

An attorney can identify and address these weak points before they derail your claim or appeal.

Real Example: Vision Problems in the Workplace

An IT consultant developed radiation-induced retinopathy after treatment for a brain tumor. Although her central vision remained partially intact, she experienced blind spots and severe glare sensitivity.

Her job required long hours at computer coding, troubleshooting, and real-time problem-solving. Despite magnifiers and adaptive software, she struggled with eye fatigue and frequent mistakes.

Her LTD claim was initially denied, but with help from her retina specialist and a vocational expert, she proved that even with accommodation, her vision loss made consistent work impossible. Her benefits were later approved on appeal.

How a Long-Term Disability Attorney Can Help

A long-term disability lawyer can make a significant difference in vision-related claims by:

• Reviewing your denial letter and claim file
• Gathering detailed medical opinions from your specialists
• Coordinating vocational reports that explain why you can’t sustain work
• Preparing a persuasive ERISA or private policy appeal
• Filing a lawsuit if your appeal is denied

The appeals process is highly technical, and insurers often use complex policy language to justify denials. Having a legal advocate ensures your case is backed by both medical and vocational evidence.

Contact the Ortiz Law Firm About Your Retinopathy Disability Claim

If your LTD claim for retinopathy has been denied or terminated, don’t navigate the appeal process alone. The Ortiz Law Firm represents clients nationwide and has extensive experience handling vision-related disability claims. We’ll help you gather strong medical support and fight for the benefits you deserve. Call (888) 321-8131 today to schedule your free case evaluation.