Applying for Disability Pension (Eye Diseases)

Key points of this disease

• Visual impairment due to eye disease may be eligible for disability pension¹⁾³⁾.
• The disability determination date is generally 1 year and 6 months after the first examination date¹⁾.
• Basic disability pension covers grades 1 and 2, while employees’ disability pension covers grades 1, 2, and 3³⁾.
• For eye disorders, criteria for visual acuity and visual field are established¹⁾.
• As of the revision on January 1, 2022, the criterion changed from “sum of visual acuity of both eyes” to “visual acuity of the better eye”²⁾.
• For visual field, criteria using automated perimetry have been established, and the Esterman and 10-2 programs have become important¹⁾²⁾.
• In the medical certificate, visual field charts and description of work ability are also important⁴⁾⁵⁾.

1. What is applying for disability pension (eye disease)?

Disability pension is a public pension system that provides benefits to insured persons of the National Pension and Employees’ Pension when they become disabled due to illness or injury. Visual impairment due to eye disease is also covered¹⁾³⁾.

The key point at the start of the claim is the first examination date. The disability determination date is generally 1 year and 6 months after that first examination date, or the date when the condition became fixed earlier¹⁾.

Eligibility requires that pension premiums were paid on the first examination date. Also, as a basic requirement, the period of paid premiums must be at least two-thirds of the total period as of the day before the first examination date³⁾.

Q Are the physical disability certificate and disability pension the same system?

A

They are not the same. The disability certificate is an entry point for welfare services, while disability pension is a public pension system. Since the criteria, application windows, and required documents differ, having one does not automatically determine the other.

Q Do the grades of the physical disability certificate and the disability pension match?

A

They may not match. The physical disability certificate and disability pension are systems with different assessment criteria. Even if the certificate grade is high, it may not correspond to a disability pension grade, and vice versa. Separate applications are required for each.

2. Main targets and grade points

Basic Disability Pension

Target grades: Only Grade 1 and Grade 2.

Position: A basic pension for those covered by the National Pension (self-employed, students, etc.).

Note: Mainly for cases with severe limitations in daily life¹⁾³⁾.

Employees' Disability Pension

Target grades: Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3. There is also a disability lump-sum payment.

Entry: One requirement is that the person was insured under the Employees’ Pension Insurance on the date of first medical examination³⁾.

Note: The Employees’ Pension also includes Grade 3 and disability lump-sum payments¹⁾³⁾.

The specific criteria for visual impairment are as follows.

Visual Acuity Criteria

Grade 1: Visual acuity in the better eye is 0.03 or less, or 0.04 with the other eye at hand motion or less.

Grade 2: Visual acuity in the better eye is 0.07 or less, or 0.08 with the other eye at hand motion or worse.

Grade 3: Visual acuity in the better eye is 0.1 or less¹⁾.

Disability Allowance: Applies when visual acuity in both eyes is reduced to 0.6 or less, etc.¹⁾.

Visual Field Criteria

Grade 1: Binocular open-field visual recognition points 70 or less and binocular central visual field recognition points 20 or less.

Grade 2: Binocular open-field visual recognition points 70 or less and binocular central visual field recognition points 40 or less.

Grade 3: Binocular open-field visual recognition points 70 or less. For Disability Allowance, 100 points or less or central visual field 40 points or less are also criteria¹⁾.

3. Points to Confirm Before Applying

When applying for disability pension, the following confirmations are important.

• Initial consultation date: Confirm which medical institution is considered the first visit¹⁾³⁾.
• Insurance premium payment requirement: As of the day before the initial consultation, the paid-up period must be at least two-thirds of the total period³⁾.
• Timing of application: The concept of benefit start differs between disability determination date claims and post-onset severe claims³⁾.
• Ophthalmology documents: Consistency of visual acuity, visual field, date of current condition, treatment history, and diagnosis is required⁴⁾⁵⁾.
• Work and daily life status: In the medical certificate, sections on daily living ability and work capacity are also important⁵⁾.

Not only ophthalmology visits but also record keeping is important

For disability pension, not only test results but also proof of the first medical examination date and timing of the claim are important. Checking the location of documents early makes the process smoother.

Q When can I apply?

A

In principle, it is after the disability certification date, which is 1 year and 6 months after the first medical examination date ¹⁾. However, even if the criteria are not met at that time, if the condition later worsens and meets the criteria, it may be subject to a post-onset severe claim ³⁾.

4. Required Documents and Ophthalmological Evaluation

The medical certificate for visual impairment includes visual acuity, visual field, and current status date ⁴⁾. If there is a visual field defect, the following attachments are important ⁵⁾.

• Goldmann perimeter: A visual field chart where the target is clearly visible.
• Automated perimeter: Binocular open Esterman test results and 10-2 program results.
• Consistency with medical history: The disease name and visual field defect should be connected.
• Daily life and work ability: Not only numerical values but also description of functional status is required ⁵⁾.

Points to note when preparing the pension medical certificate: ensure that the date of first medical examination and current status date are not omitted, and if there is a visual field defect, attach the specified results ⁵⁾.

The application window differs depending on the type of pension. For Employees’ Pension Insurance (disability), it is the pension office (Japan Pension Service); for National Pension (disability basic pension), it is the municipal office; for Mutual Aid Pension, it is each mutual aid association.

5. Standard Application Process

In practice, the process proceeds as follows.

Step	Content	Main Contact
1	Confirm first visit date	Medical institution, etc.
2	Confirm eligibility requirements	Pension office
3	Ophthalmology visit / Obtain medical certificate	Medical institution
4	Prepare statement of medical history and employment status	Applicant
5	Submit complete application package	Pension office, etc.
6	Review and certification → Benefit decision	Japan Pension Service

According to the official guide for Employees’ Pension Disability Benefits, the eligibility requirements are three points: “date of first medical examination,” “meeting the disability grade on the disability certification date,” and “insurance premium payment requirements” ³⁾. Even if you do not meet the criteria on the disability certification date, you can file a post-onset severe claim if your condition worsens later ³⁾.

The timing of your claim changes when benefits start

With a disability certification date claim, you can receive benefits from the month following the disability certification date, but with a post-onset severe claim, benefits start from the month following the claim date ³⁾. The later you file, the later benefits begin.

Q What is the difference between a disability certification date claim and a post-onset severe claim?

A

A disability certification date claim is filed when you meet the criteria at the point 1 year and 6 months after the first medical examination. A post-onset severe claim is filed when you did not meet the criteria at that time but later worsened and reached the criteria ³⁾.

6. Detailed Certification Practice

In the disability certification for eye disorders after the 2022 revision, the concepts of visual acuity and visual field have been better organized ²⁾.

• Change in visual acuity criteria: Changed from using “sum of visual acuity of both eyes” to using “visual acuity of the better eye” for certification ²⁾.
• Development of visual field criteria: In addition to the Goldmann perimeter, criteria using automated perimetry have been established ¹⁾²⁾.
• Organization of symptom limitations: The direction has been clarified to judge by measured values rather than expressions like concentric visual field constriction or ring scotoma ²⁾.
• Additional organization of grades: Criteria for Grade 1 and Grade 3 have been specified for visual field disorders ²⁾.

In the notes on the medical certificate, if there is a visual field disorder, it should be entered in section A for Goldmann perimetry or section B for automated perimetry, and the necessary visual field charts and test results should be attached ⁵⁾.

For fixed-term certification, submission of an updated medical certificate is required every 1 to 5 years. If vision improves, the grade may be lowered. Additionally, disabilities with an initial medical examination before age 20 (such as congenital eye diseases) are eligible for basic disability pension, and income limits are set.

7. 2022 Revisions and Future Considerations

The revision on January 1, 2022, was a major change for the certification practice of eye disabilities ²⁾. Since search results still include explanations of the old criteria, referring to outdated information can easily lead to misunderstandings.

We recommend checking the latest information at the pension office

Disability pension is a system that requires high accuracy. Before applying, be sure to check the latest pages of the Japan Pension Service and the pension office for eligibility requirements, application timing, required documents, and medical certificate forms.

Q What changed the most in the 2022 revision?

A

For vision, the major change was from “sum of visual acuity of both eyes” to “visual acuity of the better eye.” For visual field, criteria based on automated perimetry were newly organized, and judgment based on measured values became clearer ²⁾.

8. References

1. 日本年金機構. 国民年金・厚生年金保険 障害認定基準 [Internet]. 2022. Available from: https://www.nenkin.go.jp/service/jukyu/seido/shougainenkin/ninteikijun/20140604.files/01.pdf

2. 日本年金機構. 令和4年1月1日から「眼の障害」の障害認定基準が一部改正されました [Internet]. 2022. Available from: https://www.nenkin.go.jp/oshirase/taisetu/2022/202201/20220104.html

3. 日本年金機構. 障害厚生年金の受給要件・請求時期・年金額 [Internet]. Available from: https://www.nenkin.go.jp/service/jukyu/seido/shougainenkin/jukyu-yoken/20150401-02.html

4. 日本年金機構. 診断書（眼の障害用） [Internet]. Available from: https://www.nenkin.go.jp/shinsei/jukyu/shougai/shindansho/20140421-22.files/01-1.pdf

5. 日本年金機構. 障害基礎年金・障害厚生年金の診断書作成の留意事項《眼の障害》 [Internet]. Available from: https://www.nenkin.go.jp/shinsei/jukyu/shougai/shindansho/20140421-22.files/01-3.pdf