Imprisoned Imran Khan at risk of blindness

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned, has issued a strong warning regarding his health condition. Issuing a statement via the X social media network, the party points out that if Imran Khan does not receive proper treatment immediately, there is a high risk of him permanently losing sight in one eye and becoming blind.

Tests conducted by prison doctors have revealed that he is suffering from a serious medical condition called 'Central Retinal Vein Occlusion' (CRVO), which is reported to have affected his right eye.

Although this condition requires surgical facilities and specialist medical treatment, the party accuses the administration of Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where he is detained, of attempting to treat him within the prison itself. As Adiala Jail lacks the necessary facilities to treat such a complex medical condition, requests have been made to immediately transfer him to a private hospital or a well-equipped hospital of his choice, such as Shaukat Khanum Hospital. Meanwhile, Imran Khan's sisters, Noreen Khanam and Aleema Khanam, protesting in front of the prison, stated that prison authorities have not officially informed the family about their brother's eye condition.

Medically, CRVO is defined as the blockage of the main vein that drains blood from the retina of the eye, leading to blood accumulation within the retina itself, causing swelling and loss of vision. Experts point out that if proper treatment is not received within 24 to 72 hours, the damage can become permanent. Imran Khan's side alleges that the government is deliberately endangering his life due to political vendetta and that he has not been allowed a proper medical examination since October 2024. The PTI party states that his fundamental human rights are being violated, even in defiance of court orders, and has also called on opposition alliances to intervene immediately in this situation.

Imran Khan, 71, who has been imprisoned since August 2023, faces over 100 cases, including corruption and revealing state secrets, and is currently serving a 14-year sentence. Historically, medical records indicate that former American President Woodrow Wilson also faced a similar medical condition. Medical research has confirmed that the incidence of CRVO is higher among individuals with conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and it is commonly observed among diabetic patients in the South Asian region.