Although Emperor Sanjo continued to confront Michinaga, he later contracted an eye disease that nearly made him lose his eyesight; he was repeatedly urged by Michinaga to resign from his office, and he finally agreed to hand over the throne to Emperor Goichijo in 1016, on condition that his son, Imperial Prince Atsuakira, be made the Crown Prince.
道長と対立を続けた三条天皇だが、やがて失明寸前の眼病となり、道長から強く退位を迫られ、結局、長和5年（1016年）に皇子の敦明親王を東宮とすることを条件に後一条天皇に譲位した。