Imran Khan Undergoes Fourth Eye Procedure at PIMS Hospital

Gohar Demands Transfer of PTI Founder, Bushra to Hospital for Treatment Under Personal Doctors

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan received a fourth intravitreal anti-VEGF injection at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and was discharged on Tuesday morning.

In January, Imran Khan was diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion in his right eye, resulting in a dangerous blockage affecting vision. The PIMS spokesperson, in a statement, said that Imran, 74, was brought to the hospital on April 28 for follow-up eye treatment, during which he received a fourth intravitreal injection.

“Prior to the procedure, he was examined by the ophthalmologists and was found to be clinically stable,” the statement said, adding that Imran’s “optical coherence tomography was performed, which showed clinical improvement”.

“After obtaining informed consent and under standard monitoring, adopting all standard precautionary measures and protocols in the operating theatre, he was injected with a fourth dose of intravitreal injection under the guidance of microscopy by the surgeons,” the spokesperson added.

“The procedure was performed as a day care surgery. 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,” the hospital spokesperson said.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that PTI founder Imran Khan has once again underwent an eye examination at the PIMS hospital in Islamabad,

In a post on his social media account, Gohar demanded from the authorities to shift the incarcerated PTI founding chairman and his wife Bushra Bibi to hospital under the supervision of personal doctors.

“It was just confirmed to me that Khan Sab was taken to PIMS last night for eye injection and medical check up,” he added. “I would add that whatever the treatment our concern remains unanswered - Khan sab and Bushra BB be shifted to hospital for treatment under the supervision of personal doctors accompanied by family members,” he stated, adding that this is their fundamental right and his party has long been demanding its implementation.

Imran last underwent the anti-VEGF intravitreal injection on March 23. His eye ailment — right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) — came to light in late January. His first medical procedure was carried out on January 24, and he was administered the second dose on Feb 24.

Following the last procedure, a senior doctor at Pims, who was familiar with the matter, said: ‘Usually, three injections are administered in such cases; it is unlikely that a fourth injection will be given.

It is pertinent to mention here that on April 17, Imran’s spouse, Bushra, also underwent eye surgery at a Rawalpindi hospital, according to Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail authorities.