Imran Khan's vision has 'improved remarkably': PIMS

The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) said on Tuesday that former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has shown significant improvement in his vision following his second dose of intravitreal anti-VEGF injection.

“The results are encouraging. His vision has improved remarkably, and it is at a substantially good level at this stage,” read a statement issued by PIMS.

Imran has been in custody since August 2023, serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with protests on May 9, 2023.

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The PTI has intensified calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court stated that vision in his right eye had dropped to 15 per cent. Government officials, however, maintain that he is receiving appropriate medical care.

A statement issued today by PIMS said further said that Imran's examination was conducted today at Adiala jail by Dr Nadeem Qureshi, head of the Vitreoretinal Department at Rawalpindi's Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, and Professor Dr Arif Khan, head of PIMS' Ophthalmology Department.

It added that the medical board performed comprehensive tests, including visual acuity checks, fundoscopy, slit-lamp examinations, and optical coherence tomography on both of Imran's eyes.

“The board also provided recommendations for further care, advising Imran to continue with the previously planned treatment regimen,” it stated.

The PTI immediately rejected the statement, arguing that "any medical examination conducted without the presence of his personal physicians and immediate family lacks transparency and credibility."

It said that for months, "serious concerns have been raised regarding his health, access to independent medical care and the denial of family-supervised evaluations".

The PTI reiterated its non-negotiable demand that Imran be immediately examined in the presence of his personal physicians and family members.

"As per the wishes of his family, he must be shifted without delay to Shifa International Hospital for independent, transparent and comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment," it said.

The party condemned the continued refusal to grant independent medical access, stating that it had only deepened public concern and raised serious questions about the handling of Imran's health.

Last month, a medical board that examined Imran reported an improvement in his eyesight and did not recommend transferring him to a hospital. According to his medical report, his vision in his right eye has improved from 6/36 to 6/9, while his left eye retains 6/6 vision with the use of glasses. The assessment was conducted by Dr Qureshi and Dr Khan, following a detailed examination at Adiala jail.

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According to the medical report, the anterior segment of both eyes was normal and the cornea was clear. It noted mild intragel haemorrhage at the edge of the right eye and moderate retinal haemorrhage in all four quadrants. Swelling in the macula of the right eye was subsiding, with macular thickness reduced from 550 to 350 microns.

The board outlined ongoing medication and treatment and recommended OCT angiography and fundus fluorescein angiography after completion of anti-VEGF therapy, the report added, while no recommendation was made for Imran’s transfer to a hospital.