Reid to undergo eye surgery

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will undergo eye surgery on Monday as he recovers from an accident that also injured his ribs, his office said Wednesday.

The Democratic leader was injured in early January when he fell while using an exercise machine at his home. He broke bones in his face and some of his ribs, and the injuries left him with partial vision loss.

“Senator Reid is expected to be released from the hospital quickly following the surgery but under doctor’s orders to minimize strain in his right eye, he will have to work from his DC home next week,” deputy communications director Kristen Orthman said in a statement. 

{mosads}”His broken ribs are healing well and he will continue to maintain a busy schedule next week as his right eye heals.”

Reid, 75, was informed of the need for surgery after a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday, his office said.

“As long as the blood is in the eye, it’s hard to see the eye,” he said about his medical status earlier in January. “They’re hopeful and I’m following their orders.”

He worked from home for part of the month, and returned to the Capitol on Tuesday. When he returned, he was wearing a protective cover over his eye and his face was bruised.

The injuries caused him to miss Tuesday night’s State of the Union speech as well as a Democratic retreat. He said that he had been able to carry out his leadership duties while out of the office.

“I think I’ve done a good job of directing my crew without my being physically present in the Capitol,” Reid said earlier this month.