Islamabad: Former prime minister Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi’s eyesight has shown “remarkable improvement” after receiving the second intravitreal injection for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), according to a medical board that examined him at Adiala Jail on Tuesday, March 3.
A two member board of senior ophthalmologists comprising Prof Dr Nadeem Qureshi, Head of the Vitreoretinal Department at Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital Rawalpindi, and Prof Dr M Arif Khan, Head of the Ophthalmology Department at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), conducted a detailed eye examination of the 74 year old former premier following the second dose of anti VEGF therapy.
According to a statement issued by the PIMS administration, the board examined both eyes through a comprehensive assessment that included visual acuity testing, fundoscopic examination, slit lamp examination and optical coherence tomography, an advanced imaging test used to evaluate the retina and detect swelling or fluid accumulation.
“The board concluded that his vision has improved remarkably which is substantially good vision at this stage,” the statement said, adding that the doctors have advised continuation of the previously planned treatment and follow up care.
Imran Khan is being treated for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion, a condition that occurs when the main vein responsible for draining blood from the retina becomes blocked. The blockage disrupts normal blood flow within the retina, leading to bleeding, fluid leakage and swelling of the macula, the central portion of the retina responsible for detailed vision.
Retina specialists say CRVO often causes sudden painless blurring or loss of vision and can lead to permanent visual impairment if not treated promptly.
Medical experts say the condition is more common in older individuals and is frequently associated with systemic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, glaucoma and cardiovascular disorders. The blockage in the retinal vein results in accumulation of blood and fluid in the retinal tissue, affecting the retina’s ability to transmit visual signals to the brain.
The primary treatment for vision loss caused by CRVO is intravitreal anti VEGF therapy, in which medication is injected directly into the eye to reduce retinal swelling and prevent abnormal blood vessel growth. These injections help restore retinal function and improve visual outcomes in many patients.
Doctors say patients often require multiple injections administered at intervals of several weeks depending on the severity of retinal swelling and the response to treatment. Regular monitoring through optical coherence tomography scans is used to assess the retina’s response and guide further therapy.
According to retina specialists, improvement in visual acuity after the second injection is considered an encouraging sign that the retina is responding to treatment and that the swelling inside the eye is subsiding.
The medical board recommended continuation of follow up examinations and adherence to the treatment plan to ensure sustained recovery of vision and to prevent recurrence of retinal swelling. Doctors say careful monitoring remains essential in CRVO cases because some patients may require additional injections over several months to stabilise retinal circulation and preserve long term vision.
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