In a shocking turn of events in February 2026, medical reports submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan confirmed that former Prime Minister Imran Khan has lost 85% of the vision in his right eye. With only 15% eyesight remaining, the crisis has sparked a national standoff over medical neglect, international human rights violations, and a high-stakes hospital transfer.
The clinical deterioration of Pakistan’s most high-profile prisoner has transcended politics, becoming a flashpoint for human rights and judicial accountability. Here is the definitive breakdown of the ocular pathophysiology, the legal battle, and the current treatment standoff at Adiala Jail.
The Diagnosis: What is Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO)?
Medical records confirm that the cause of Khan’s vision loss is Right Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO).
- Pathophysiology: CRVO occurs when a blood clot blocks the main vein that drains blood from the retina. This creates back-pressure, leading to hemorrhaging, fluid leakage, and rapid ischemic damage to the macula.
- The Timeline of Neglect: Khan maintained perfect $6/6$ vision as recently as October 2025. For three months, he reported blurred and hazy vision to jail authorities, but his complaints were met only with generic eye drops rather than specialized intervention.
- The Failed Procedure: On January 24, 2026, a 20-minute procedure involving an intravitreal injection (likely anti-VEGF) was performed at PIMS Hospital, but the treatment was administered too late to reverse the extensive retinal scarring.
“922 Days of Solitary”: The Environmental Impact on Health
The UN Special Rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, and Khan’s son, Kasim Khan, have directly linked his condition to the “inhumane” conditions of his detention.
- Lack of Natural Light: Confined to a small cell for 23 hours a day, Khan has been deprived of natural sunlight for over two years, relying instead on artificial LED lighting which can disrupt circadian rhythms and ocular health.
- Medical Neglect: Beyond the eye crisis, amicus curiae Salman Safdar revealed that the 73-year-old former PM has been denied a dental consultation for two years and regular blood tests, which could have identified the vascular precursors to the clot.
- Mandela Rules Violation: International law prohibits solitary confinement for more than 15 days. Khan has reportedly endured such isolation for nearly 28 months.
Current Medical Monitoring at Adiala Jail
| Vital Sign / Statistic | Frequency / Status | Context (Feb 2026) |
| Residual Vision | 15% (Right Eye) | Irreversible damage confirmed |
| Blood Pressure | 3 times daily | Monitored by on-duty doctors |
| Glucose Levels | Periodic / Daily | Vital signs recorded regularly |
| Solitary Confinement | 23 hours/day | Limited to 1-hour lawn access |
The Treatment Standoff: Al-Shifa vs. Shifa International
The government’s decision on February 15, 2026, to shift Khan to a specialized facility has triggered a new conflict over where he should be treated.
- Government Proposal: Shifting Khan to a 10-room secure facility at Al-Shifa Eye Trust in Rawalpindi. This unit was originally built for juvenile patients and is located in the prison’s admin block for maximum security.
- PTI/Family Demand: Transfer to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. His personal physicians, Dr. Faisal Sultan and Dr. Aasim Yusuf, argue that CRVO requires a “multidisciplinary evaluation” at a tertiary hospital to manage underlying systemic vascular issues.
- The Trust Deficit: Khan’s sister, Aleema Khanum, has rejected any medical board “set up and controlled” by the government, demanding the presence of independent specialists.