Eye surgery forces Gilmore off campaign trail

Long-shot GOP candidate cancels week of appearances for detached retina

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updated 7:33 p.m. ET July 2, 2007

RICHMOND, Va. - Long-shot Republican presidential candidate Jim Gilmore underwent emergency surgery for a detached retina late last week, forcing him to cancel at least a week's worth of campaign appearances, an aide said Monday.

The former Virginia governor was rushed into surgery at a Richmond clinic Friday after complaining of vision problems in his right eye.

Gilmore, who entered the race claiming there was no true conservative in the GOP field, has been ordered by doctors to avoid travel "for an indefinite period of time."