Counseling the Injured Individual and the Family

Abstract

If a patient with a nonemergency (elective) medical condition consults an ophthalmologist, the physician will typically spend time with the person, explaining: • The nature of the condition, • The available management options (including observation, i.e., natural history), • The benefits and risks/complications of each option • The patient’s expected experience with each option (e.g., pain, inconvenience), • The possibility of multiple surgeries and protracted recovery, • The likely functional and anatomical outcome, • If applicable, the need for, and availability of, rehabilitation services.