Doctors 'optimistic' after Harry Reid has eye surgery

WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid underwent surgery Monday to remove a blood clot in his right eye, but his office reports that doctors have "no definitive verdict" yet about his eyesight.

Reid spokesman Adam Jentleson issued a statement that the Senate's top Democrat was released from George Washington University Hospital Monday afternoon and "is currently sitting in his living room with Mrs. Reid, cracking jokes and asking about the whip count" on a vote about Keystone pipeline legislation.

Reid lost vision in his right eye during a workout accident on New Year's Day, in which he broke several bones in his face and some ribs. The surgery was aimed at reconstructing bones near both of his eyes and draining blood collecting by the right one.

"Doctors have said they are optimistic about his prospects for regaining vision in his right eye but there is no definitive verdict yet," Jentleson said.

Jentleson said the 3 1/2 hour procedure "was successful" in removing the blood clot, draining the blood in front of his right eye, and repairing the orbital bones in Reid's brow, temple and cheek.

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Reid, 75, was exercising in his Nevada home with an elastic band when it snapped, causing the senator to spin around and go flying into a cabinet. "It didn't knock me out, but it sure hurt," the former boxer told reporters at a news conference last week.

Reid has said his injuries have not affected his plans to run for a sixth Senate term in 2016.

Jentleson said the minority leader will continue to recuperate from his Washington home and monitor the Democrats' work through meetings and phone calls with his staff, fellow senators and the White House. Sens. Dick Durbin, Charles Schumer and Patty Murray -- Reid's top lieutenants -- have been sharing duties while Reid recuperates.

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