The impact of new technology on informed consent.

Failure to provide adequate informed consent is the single most common allegation made in malpractice suits filed against ophthalmologists. Adequate informed consent requires not only that the risks and benefits of the proposed procedure be disclosed, but alternative treatment options must be presented as well. With rapidly developing technological advances, alternative treatment options in connection with the correction of refractive errors continue to expand. The question of whether it is necessary to provide information about all available alternatives to assure that the standard for adequate informed consent is met can be a difficult and challenging issue, and one which may vary depending upon the law in a particular state. Nevertheless, ophthalmologists should review their informed consent process to be certain that new developments, which provide alternatives to proposed treatments, are presented to patients.