ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences said on Tuesday night that Imran Khan underwent a follow-up eye examination at Adiala jail and showed marked improvement in vision. However, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf rejected the assessment, citing concerns over transparency.
In a press release, Pims stated that a medical board examined the former premier for follow-up treatment after his second intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. The board included Dr Nadeem Qureshi, head of the vitreoretinal department at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital in Rawalpindi, and Dr M Arif Khan, head of ophthalmology at Pims Islamabad. The same team had evaluated him last month at the jail.
Doctors assessed visual acuity in both eyes and conducted fundoscopy, slit lamp examination and optical coherence tomography. The board concluded that his vision had “improved remarkably” and described it as substantially good at this stage. It also issued further care instructions in line with the existing treatment plan.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, anti-VEGF therapy reduces leakage from abnormal retinal blood vessels, slows damage and may improve vision.
Meanwhile, PTI categorically rejected the Pims statement. The party argued that any examination conducted without the presence of Khan’s personal physicians and immediate family was not credible. It demanded that authorities shift him to Shifa International Hospital for an independent and comprehensive evaluation.
Khan’s eye condition, right central retinal vein occlusion, surfaced in January. His lawyer, Salman Safdar, earlier told the Supreme Court that he had lost significant vision in his right eye while in custody. The government denies opposition allegations of inadequate care.
