Imran Khan undergoes fifth eye injection at Pims during follow-up visit

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Monday for a scheduled follow-up for his eye treatment, where doctors administered his fifth intravitreal injection after examinations indicated improvement in his condition.

According to a statement issued by the Pims administration, the 74-year-old former prime minister, who is currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, underwent the procedure as part of continuing treatment for an eye condition that has required a series of intravitreal injections.

Hospital officials said ophthalmologists examined Khan before the procedure and found him clinically stable. The administration said optical coherence tomography was also carried out and showed clinical improvement.

Pims said the injection was administered by specialist surgeons under microscopic guidance. The hospital added that the intervention was completed as a day-care procedure and no complications were reported.

"During the course of his stay, he remained vitally stable before, during and after the procedure and was discharged along with instructions for further care and follow-up advice and documents," it was stated.

The latest treatment was the fifth intravitreal injection given to Khan as part of his ongoing ophthalmic care. He had previously been moved from Adiala Jail to the hospital on April 28, when he received the fourth dose after a comprehensive examination.

Condition cited in court report

While Pims did not disclose the exact diagnosis or the medication used in the latest procedure, Khan was diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), according to a report submitted to the Supreme Court by his lawyer and the court’s amicus curiae, Salman Safdar.

CRVO is a serious eye condition that occurs when the main vein responsible for draining blood from the retina becomes blocked. The condition is often linked to cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.

Pims officials did not say when Khan’s next follow-up examination would take place. However, people familiar with the treatment process said patients receiving serial intravitreal injections are usually monitored periodically to assess their response and determine whether additional doses are needed.

Intravitreal injections are commonly used in the treatment of retinal diseases, including diabetic eye disease, retinal vein occlusion and age-related macular degeneration.