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, the hospital administration said in a news release late Friday night.
However, questions continue to surround access, disclosure and independent medical oversight of Imran Khan’s health and the medical care being provided to him in custody.
According to the official medical update issued by PIMS, Imran Khan, 74, reported reduced vision in his right eye, prompting a comprehensive ophthalmic assessment by a senior specialist at Adiala Jail.
The hospital said the examination included slit-lamp assessment, fundoscopy, measurement of intraocular pressure, laboratory investigations and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) of the retina.
Based on these findings, doctors diagnosed right central retinal vein occlusion and advised hospital-based follow-up treatment.
PIMS said Imran Khan was subsequently brought to the hospital late Saturday night, where doctors explained the treatment plan, including the administration of an anti-VEGF intra-vitreal injection.
The procedure was carried out in the operating theatre under standard sterile protocols, completed in around 20 minutes, and the patient remained vitally stable throughout, the statement said.
Following the procedure, Khan was discharged with routine post-treatment care instructions, follow-up advice and relevant medical documentation. The hospital administration maintained that his condition remained stable.
The medical update came after days of intense political debate and speculation about Khan’s health, particularly claims by his party and supporters that his eye condition was serious and required urgent specialist attention.
In a separate statement issued earlier, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre expressed grave concern over reports suggesting Khan was suffering from central retinal vein occlusion.
While the hospital said it was unable to independently verify those reports, it formally requested that a team of its physicians be granted immediate access to examine Khan and participate in his care to reassure those concerned about his wellbeing.
The Shaukat Khanum administration said it had full confidence in the physicians currently treating Khan but underscored the importance of transparency and independent medical access, particularly given the potential seriousness of the reported diagnosis.
Central retinal vein occlusion is a recognised vascular eye condition caused by obstruction of blood flow from the retina and can result in sudden or progressive loss of vision.
Ophthalmologists note that the condition is commonly associated with underlying risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and blood clotting disorders, and that timely specialist management is essential to prevent long-term complications.
While government officials have insisted that Imran Khan is receiving appropriate medical care in custody and that there has been no deterioration in his overall health, opposition figures continue to call for fuller disclosure of medical details and independent assessments, arguing that restricted access fuels uncertainty and mistrust.
So far, authorities have not publicly responded to Shaukat Khanum Hospital’s request for access, even as PIMS says the advised treatment has been administered in line with standard medical protocols.