A panel of senior eye specialists examined PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Sunday following concerns about his eyesight. The party had earlier objected to the medical review conducted without the presence of his family members and personal physicians, describing it as inappropriate.
On Monday, the federal law minister dismissed fears about any serious deterioration in his vision, stating there was no major cause for concern. The medical board later released a detailed two-page report outlining the findings of the February 15 examination.
The board included Prof Dr Nadeem Qureshi, head of the vitreoretinal department at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, and Prof Dr M. Arif, head of ophthalmology at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
According to the report, Imran Khan’s unaided vision measured 6/24 (partial) in the right eye and 6/9 in the left. With glasses, his vision improved to 6/9 (partial) in the right eye and 6/6 in the left. In clinical terms, 6/6 vision is considered normal, while 6/9 indicates slightly reduced sharpness.
A slit-lamp examination showed both corneas were clear with no inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber. The vitreous in the right eye appeared clear, though minor fibrillar opacities were noted. Doctors also detected mild intragel haemorrhage in the peripheral region.
Retinal findings in the right eye included moderate haemorrhages in all four quadrants and several cotton wool spots. The report stated that macular oedema, or swelling due to fluid accumulation, was resolving, and the retina remained attached. The left eye’s macula and peripheral retina were reported clear and healthy.
An optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan revealed further improvement. Central macular thickness in the right eye had decreased from 550 to 350 microns, indicating recovery. The left eye’s OCT findings were within normal limits.
The doctors prescribed Nevanac eye drops twice daily for both eyes to manage inflammation, Co-sopt drops twice daily for the right eye to control intraocular pressure, and Systane Ultra artificial tears three times daily for both eyes. A second anti-VEGF injection was also recommended as per schedule.
The report highlighted a marked improvement in vision in the affected eye, from 6/36 to 6/9 (partial), describing it as significant progress at this stage of treatment. Anti-VEGF therapy is commonly used to reduce abnormal blood vessel leakage in the retina and help stabilise or improve vision.
Further diagnostic tests, including OCT angiography and fundus fluorescein angiography, were advised for continued monitoring.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas later visited PIMS to receive a detailed briefing from the medical team. The board members also held a more than 25-minute telephonic consultation with Imran Khan’s personal physicians, Dr Asim Yousaf and Dr Khurram Mirza.
According to the report, both party leaders and the former prime minister’s personal doctors expressed satisfaction with the treatment provided and the follow-up plan recommended by the specialists.
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