[What should the Swiss ophthalmologist know about integrity damage?]

The purpose of this new instrument in Swiss social insurance (applicable since January 1, 1984) is to compensate for an immaterial, permanent, and significant reduction in physical or mental integrity due to an accident or any legally defined "occupational disease". The indemnity is paid once, as a capital sum, on an abstract and egalitarian basis, irrespective of the patient's age, sex, occupation, or income. In contrast, the invalidity pension provided under the social insurance scheme is paid on a monthly basis and compensates exclusively for economic damage as a consequence of a permanent or temporary reduction in income in cases of accident or disease.