Informed consent in contact lens practice.

The legal doctrine of informed consent mandates that the doctor provide sufficient information so a patient can refuse or consent to an optometric procedure in a knowledgeable, intelligent manner. Informed consent is especially important in contact lens practice. The informed consent procedures presented here are simple and straightforward. They should be a natural part of optometric practice, and will better educate patients who will less likely be displeased with the course of treatment because of unrealistic expectations.