Are Cataract Surgery Consent Forms Readable by Patients with Impaired Vision?

Abstract

Introduction: Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the world that affects vision. In this study, we aimed to determine the extent to which cataract surgery consent forms are readable by patients. Materials and Methods: The study data were evaluated retrospectively and 400 patients who underwent cataract surgery between 1.7.2023 and 31.12.2023 were randomly included in the study. The the patients’ ages and gender, best corrected visual acuity levels according to the Snellen chart and the corresponding Jaeger near vision chart levels and the corresponding point size of the Jaeger chart were evaluated retrospectively. Results: 32 individuals with best corrected visual acuity of 0.4-0.5 in the eye with good vision before surgery, 27 individuals with best corrected visual acuity of 0.51-0.64, 74 individuals with best corrected visual acuity of 0.64-0.81 and 67 individuals with vision better than 0.81 are expected to read a normal consent form written in a 12–15-point font size. Approximately 50% of patients had sufficient visual acuity to read a routine consent form, suggesting that the other 50% of the cases will have difficulty reading the consent forms in the current order even with the visual acuity of their better-seeing eyes. Discussion: The determination by the physician planning the surgery whether the patients who need to undergo surgery due to conditions that directly affect vision, such as cataract, have visual acuity at a level that will allow them to read the consent form means providing one of the cornerstones of the concept of informed consent. Conclusion: A significant portion of the patients cannot see the informed consent forms before cataract surgery due to their inadequate visual acuity.