ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has been diagnosed with a blockage in the central retinal vein of his right eye and has undergone a specialised eye procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), says an official medical update issued by the hospital administration on Friday.
In a statement issued by the PIMS, the hospital said Imran Khan, 74, had recently complained of reduced vision in his right eye, following which a senior and qualified ophthalmologist conducted a comprehensive eye assessment at Adiala Jail.
The assessment included slit-lamp examination, fundoscopy, measurement of intraocular pressure, essential laboratory investigations and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) of the retina.
Based on these findings, doctors diagnosed Khan with right central retinal vein occlusion and advised hospital-based follow-up treatment.
According to the statement, Imran Khan was subsequently brought to PIMS late Saturday night for the advised procedure.
Hospital officials said the treatment plan, including the need for administering an anti-VEGF intra-vitreal injection, was explained in detail to the patient, after which informed consent was obtained.
“The procedure was carried out in the operation theatre under standard sterile protocols and monitoring,” the statement said, adding that it was completed smoothly in approximately 20 minutes. During the treatment, the patient remained vitally stable and was later discharged with routine post-procedure care instructions, follow-up advice and relevant medical documents.
The hospital administration said Khan’s condition remained stable throughout the procedure. The medical update was issued amid widespread speculation and political debate over Imran Khan’s health, particularly following claims circulated by his party and supporters regarding the seriousness of his eye condition.
Earlier, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre had issued a separate statement expressing grave concern over reports suggesting Khan was suffering from central retinal vein occlusion.
While clarifying that it could not independently verify those reports, the hospital requested that a team of its physicians be granted immediate access to examine Imran Khan and participate in his care to reassure those concerned about his wellbeing.
Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital administration said it had full confidence in the physicians currently treating Khan but stressed the need for transparency and independent medical access given the seriousness of the reported condition.
Central retinal vein occlusion is a recognised eye condition caused by obstruction of blood flow from the retina and can result in sudden or progressive vision loss.
Ophthalmologists say the condition is commonly associated with underlying risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and blood clotting disorders, and requires timely specialist management to prevent complications.
