Patient information before cataract surgery.

Patients have to be informed before cataract surgery about possible complications, about chances and risks. This should be done in a written manner with additional verbal explanations. We documented all details of 4,300 cataract operations on computer-readable forms and obtained statistics on type and frequency of complications as well as visual acuity 1 week after the operation. With these data we have a reliable base for the presurgical information of our patients. Detailed information about possible risks and chances of cataract extraction were given to each patient by means of a written form which was read to the patient and explained in details to him. Immediately afterwards we tested the reaction of the patient upon the full information. It was found that the reactions were surprisingly positive. Not one of the patients felt less inclined to undergo surgery and not one patient had less confidence toward the hospital. The vast majority (approximately 90%) of the patients said in contrary that their confidence was much increased after the information. A similar type of information can be recommended, therefore, for moral and legal reasons.