Informed consent in cataract surgery

With the introduction of several new intraocular lenses into the US ophthalmology market over the past several years, the importance of the informed consent process has significantly increased for all cataract surgeons. Managing unrealistic patient expectations is paramount in reducing the medico-legal risk associated with these procedures.

Increased emphasis on the informed consent process is intended to promote patient safety and reduce liability exposure when performing cataract or refractive lens exchange surgery. Particular attention to preoperative counseling, careful patient selection, and timing of the informed consent process are key elements in successfully managing the medico-legal risk associated with these surgical procedures.

The new intraocular lens options for correcting both near and distant vision through cataract surgery raise important risk management and informed consent issues for the ophthalmologist. As long as the informed consent process has been performed appropriately and is well documented in the medical record and the risk/benefit ratio of the specific procedure for a given patient is favorable, the decision to proceed with surgery should be considered sound.