Imran Khan undergoes third eye injection at PIMS as PTI raises transparency concerns

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) said on Monday that former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was administered his third dose of an anti-VEGF intra-vitreal injection.

“Prior to the procedure, he was examined by ophthalmologists and was found to be vitally stable,” the PIMS administration said in a press release.

Imran was first taken to the hospital in late January for a minor eye procedure. Five days later, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said doctors at PIMS conducted another examination and, after obtaining written consent, carried out a minor procedure lasting around 20 minutes.

Earlier this month, a medical check-up at Adiala Jail showed significant improvement in Imran’s vision following his second dose of the intravitreal anti-VEGF injection.

According to Monday’s statement, the third injection was administered “under guidance of microscopy by surgeons” after informed consent was obtained. The hospital said the procedure was carried out under standard monitoring and precautionary protocols in the operating theatre.

The procedure was performed as day-care surgery. PIMS added that Imran remained vitally stable before, during, and after the procedure, and was discharged with follow-up care instructions.

However, PTI raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the treatment. In a statement on X, the party questioned the timing and transparency of the process, noting that a press release had been issued in the early hours regarding his transfer from Adiala Jail.

The party also questioned why Imran’s personal physicians were not allowed access and why his family had been denied a meeting, calling for greater clarity on the situation.

Imran has been in custody since August 2023, serving a sentence at Adiala Jail in a £190 million corruption case, while also facing pending trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023 protests.

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.

Last month, a medical board reported improvement in his eyesight and did not recommend hospital transfer. According to the report, his right eye vision improved from 6/36 to 6/9, while his left eye remained at 6/6 with glasses.

The examination, conducted by Dr Nadeem Qureshi and Dr Arif Khan at Adiala Jail, found the anterior segment of both eyes normal, with a clear cornea. It noted mild intragel haemorrhage in the right eye and moderate retinal haemorrhage across all quadrants. Swelling in the macula was also subsiding, with thickness reduced from 550 to 350 microns.

The board recommended further tests, including OCT angiography and fundus fluorescein angiography, after completion of anti-VEGF therapy, but did not advise hospitalisation.