Eye fears put PM's health in focus

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Downing Street took the unusual step of revealing the results of medical check-ups amid intense speculation over the Prime Minister's wellbeing.

But a spokesman insisted that his vision was not getting worse, and he did not need further surgery.

"This summer Mr Brown had his annual eye check-up which was fine. Later he had his retina checked," the spokesman said. "After examinations surgeons found that the retina had two minor tears. However, as there has been no further deterioration, and no change in his eyesight, they decided against further operations.

"Mr Brown visited Moorfields Hospital as part of regular checks on his eyes and this check was also fine.

"Mr Brown wants to thank the doctors and staff of the NHS, particularly Moorfields Hospital. Were there to be any change, he would of course make a further statement."

Number 10 indicated that the details had been released in the interests of "transparency", and stressed that there was no question of "regular" updates on the premier's condition.

However, the approach could make it more difficult to hold back information about Mr Brown's health in future.

The PM has been repeatedly quizzed in interviews over his eyesight, including on the BBC's Andrew Marr show last month.

"There has been absolutely no deterioration in my eyesight. I think people should be absolutely clear that, although I had problems with my eyes and it has been very difficult over the years, I think people understand that you can do a job and you can work hard," he said. "I think it would be a terrible indictment of a political system if people thought because you had this medical condition, you couldn't do a job."