Informed Consent Policy

Patients have a basic right to privacy. Their personal information must not be disclosed without their explicit written informed consent.

• Identifying information (e.g., names, initials, hospital numbers, photos, or pedigrees) should not be published unless it is scientifically necessary and the patient (or their parent/guardian) has provided written consent.

• When obtaining consent, patients should be shown the manuscript to understand how their information will appear. They must also be informed that their information may be accessible in print and online.

• Written consent must be properly documented and kept on file with the authors.

To safeguard patient privacy, nonessential identifying details should be omitted. In instances where doubt exists about the maintenance of anonymity, informed consent should be obtained. For instance, merely masking the eye region in patient photographs is insufficient to ensure anonymity protection. If identifying characteristics have been de-identified, authors should provide assurance, and editors should duly note, that these modifications do not compromise the scientific meaning of the work.