Let me reflect on why this happens from firsthand experience. Years ago, doctors were able to treat patients without any questions or feedback from patients (and much less malpractice). Then, around the 1960s-1970s, a new movement arose favoring patient autonomy (i.e. the right of the patient to make their own medical decisions) and rejecting medical paternalism. Thus, some physicians have adopted a model where they present a list of options, and let the patient choose. This allows a certain freedom from liability, since the doctor can say “she chose this option, its not my fault it didn’t quite work out.”
In my opinion, the movement towards full patient autonomy is a failure. Patients are never educated or objective enough to make difficult decisions for themselves (not that choosing a few eye exam options is “difficult”, but I digress). I think the best model is one of education and direction. Such as, “Ms. Smith, you have options A, B, and C. I recommend option A, for the following reasons….” Or, frankly, if one option is truly better than the others, then no options should be presented, to prevent undue confusion. To leave difficult decisions up to the patient and their family is misguided and a failure of the medical system.