Former Prime Minister Imran Khan undergoes eye procedure at PIMS

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan underwent another eye procedure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) after being brought from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to the Islamabad hospital during the night between November 10 and 11, according to Dawn.com.

According to a PIMS official, Imran was brought for a medical check-up and follow-up eye treatment on the advice of his treating ophthalmologist. Following an examination, including an assessment of his eyes, the hospital’s ophthalmology team administered an intravitreal anti-VEGF injection.

The official said Imran’s vital parameters were normal and he remained clinically stable before, during and after the procedure. He was discharged at around 2:30am with instructions for further care and follow-up.

The latest procedure is part of his ongoing treatment for right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a condition in which a blockage in the main vein draining blood from the retina can cause bleeding and fluid accumulation, potentially impairing vision.

The condition came to public attention in late January, after Imran reported a significant deterioration in the sight of his right eye. His treatment has included repeated anti-VEGF injections, which are administered into the eye to reduce abnormal fluid leakage and swelling in the retina. The treatment can help improve or preserve vision, although the outcome depends on the extent of retinal damage.

How the eye condition developed

A report submitted to the Supreme Court by court-appointed amicus curiae Barrister Salman Safdar in February recorded Imran’s account that he had begun experiencing blurred vision in his right eye in October 2025. He alleged that his complaints were not adequately addressed for several months and that his eyesight subsequently deteriorated substantially.

Following an examination by a PIMS ophthalmologist, he was diagnosed with CRVO and received his first anti-VEGF injection at the hospital on January 24, 2026.

A medical board subsequently examined him and reported improvement in his vision. In February, the board said his right-eye vision had improved to 6/9 partial with glasses, while his left eye measured 6/6. These findings were an improvement on the earlier assessment, although they did not establish that the condition had fully resolved.

He continued to receive follow-up treatment, with further injections reported in February, March, April and June. The latest PIMS procedure is another step in that treatment. The hospital has not publicly disclosed a fresh visual-acuity assessment following the November procedure.

The unresolved question over treatment arrangements

The latest hospital visit also comes amid a dispute over where Imran should receive specialist care.

In August, the Supreme Court directed the government to arrange his examination and treatment at Islamabad’s Shifa International Hospital through a multidisciplinary medical board, with his personal physician and sister, Dr Uzma Khan, associated with the process.

However, Imran was subsequently taken to PIMS instead of Shifa and returned to Adiala Jail after the examination. The government cited security concerns, while PTI disputed its explanation.

The disagreement led Dr Uzma to file a contempt petition, alleging non-compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions. The matter has yet to be resolved, and the family has continued seeking access to the treatment arrangements ordered by the court.

Meanwhile, concerns about Imran’s broader health have also featured in court proceedings. A jail medical report referred to earlier complaints of fluctuating blood pressure, palpitations and headaches. Reuters, citing an official, reported that Imran had also received treatment for blood pressure issues during the latest hospital visit, while the PIMS account quoted by Dawn said his vital parameters were normal before the eye procedure.

The latest PIMS visit confirms that Imran remains under medical treatment for his right-eye condition. However, without a new clinical assessment of his vision, the extent of any further improvement or deterioration remains unclear.

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