Assessment of informed-consent knowledge and practice among ophthalmologists at a Saudi tertiary ophthalmology hospital

The purpose and objective of the research presented here is to evaluate how ophthalmologists at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital understand and implement informed consent in daily clinical practice and to determine whether knowledge, attitudes, and practices differ according to demographic or professional characteristics. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 60 ophthalmologists, including consultants and fellows, assessing legal and ethical knowledge, perspectives on shared decision-making and risk disclosure, and routine consent practices. Results showed strong overall awareness and positive attitudes. Most participants reported a high level of understanding of informed consent, nearly all affirmed that consent must precede procedures, and all recognized the importance of discussing risks, benefits, and alternatives. The majority indicated that their consent forms include essential elements, and most selected comprehensive cataract surgery risk disclosures. Patient-centered attitudes were prominent, with nearly all endorsing shared decision-making, clear explanations, and encouraging patient questions. However, variation emerged in practice: while most consistently documented consent discussions, a notable proportion reported consent-related challenges and sought legal advice when uncertain. These findings highlight strong conceptual understanding alongside practical variability in implementation. This data represents a singular observational study and is not affiliated with any other research initiative.