Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was transported from Adiala jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Monday for a scheduled ophthalmic procedure, where specialists administered his fifth intravitreal injection following examinations that indicated clinical improvement.
According to a statement released by the Pims administration, the 74-year-old former prime minister remains under ongoing treatment for a serious retinal condition. Hospital officials confirmed that ophthalmologists conducted a thorough examination before the procedure and deemed the incarcerated politician “clinically stable.”
Specialist Procedure Completed Without Complications
The medical team utilized optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess the condition of Khan’s retina. “His optical coherence tomography was performed, which showed clinical improvement,” the official statement detailed. The procedure was carried out under microscopic guidance by specialist surgeons and was completed as a day-care intervention without any reported complications.
Pims further stated that Khan remained vitally stable before, during, and after the treatment. “During the course of his stay, he remained vitally stable… and was discharged along with instructions for further care and follow-up advice and documents,” the hospital administration confirmed.
Managing a Retinal Vein Occlusion
While hospital officials did not disclose the specific medication administered, the treatment is consistent with the management of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). This diagnosis was previously confirmed in a report submitted to the Supreme Court by Khan’s legal counsel, Salman Safdar. CRVO is a vascular disorder that occurs when the main vein draining blood from the retina becomes blocked, a condition often linked to cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Intravitreal injections are a standard therapeutic approach for managing such retinal diseases, including diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration, by delivering medication directly into the vitreous humor of the eye. The latest injection marks the fifth dose in this serial treatment regimen. Khan had previously received his fourth dose on April 28 after being shifted to Pims from prison.
Sources familiar with the treatment protocol indicated that patients undergoing serial intravitreal injections require periodic monitoring to evaluate their response to therapy and determine the necessity of future doses. Pims has not yet specified a date for the next follow-up examination.
