A medical report prepared by a two-member medical board has declared that the vision of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s impaired right eye is improving with treatment, recommending further tests after completion of the current medical action.
Submitted before the Supreme Court, the two-page report has been compiled by Dr. Nadeem Qureshi, Head of Vitreoretinal Department at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi and Dr. M. Arif Khan, Head of Ophthalmology Department, PIMS Islamabad. It notes Khan was examined on Feb. 15 at Adiala Jail, adding his unaided vision in his left eye is 6/9, and 6/24 in his right eye.
With corrective glasses, his vision improves to 6/6 in his left eye and 6/9 in his right eye.
The report states that his right eye’s Fundus finding shows “moderately dense retinal hemorrhages in all four quadrants,” adding he has 4-5 “cotton wool spots” in different quadrants. However, it adds, his central macular thickness has improved from 550 to 350 μm. The average macular thickness, according to medical experts, is 250-300 μm.
The left eye, per the report, has no visible concerns. It notes that the physicians have recommended Nevanac eye drops for both eyes twice a day; Co-sopt drops for the right eye twice a day; and systane ultra for both eyes thrice a day. Additionally, the report recommended continuing the second dose of the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment as per schedule (reportedly due next week). “Vision has improved from 6/36 to 6/9 partial in the involved eye [right], which is substantially good vision at this stage,” it adds.
The report has advised conducting OCT Angiography and FFA after the anti-VEGF treatment has been completed.
According to the report, the medical board informed PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas of its finding on Sunday night. It also briefed Khan’s personal physician Dr. Asim Yousaf and Dr. Khurram Mirza of the situation in a phone call. “After detailed briefing, leaders and personal physicians expressed their full satisfaction and confidence over the treatment given so far and follow up advice recommended by team of senior doctors,” it added.
Concerns over Khan’s vision in his right eye emerged earlier this month amidst reports he was treated by PIMS physicians in January. After initially denying the reports, the government confirmed them, prompting the Supreme Court to appoint one of Khan’s lawyers, Salman Safdar, amicus curiae and direct him to ascertain the incarcerated PTI founder’s health and living conditions within Adiala Jail.