Eyewitness News has learnt that Schabir Shaik has suffered lasting damage to his kidneys as doctors are still battling to control the fraudster's high blood pressure.

Shaik is serving a 15-year jail term after being convicted of fraud and corruption for his 'financial relationship' with ANC leader Jacob Zuma.

The Sunday Times reported over the weekend that he was losing sight in his left eye.

It was understood Shaik's uncontrollable hypertension has now led to grade four retinopathy.

This means that his left eye is now being badly affected by his blood pressure and he can no longer see clearly through it.

His kidneys are also battling as they can no longer perform as they did before he went to jail.

Shaik was still in Durban’s Albert Lithuli Hospital where doctors are using powerful drugs in a bid to bring down his blood pressure.

Eyewitness News