[On the legal situation associated with prophylactic measures in ophthalmology (author's transl)].

Every medical procedure (diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment) is in German law an assault and must be preceded by evidence of actual consent of the patient. Is this consent not present, then the requirements for a legal process are there. The doctor has freedom of choice of treatment, but he must explain to the patient possible side-effects and complications i.e. enlighten the patient. A significant proportion of damage- and criminal processes are due to incomplete explanation. The kind, form and complications of a procedure must be mentioned understandibly--the complications independent of their incidence. The guidelines resulting from processes are vague and ambiguous. Formed notes with confirmation by a witness are advisable. The value of an explanatory booklet seems doubtful.