Tanzanian songstress Vanessa Mdee has revealed a deeply personal and heartbreaking struggle she has faced for years.
The American-based singer, known for her electrifying performances and captivating voice, recently shared her story on her YouTube channel, “Vee and Roo,” on July 7.
Vanessa, a mother of two, sparked concern among her fans after appearing in videos and photos wearing an eye patch.
Initially, she remained silent about her condition, but the overwhelming inquiries from fans prompted her to break her silence and reveal the truth.
The singer recounted her experience from 2015 when she traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, for Coke Studio with Burna Boy. What began as an exciting trip turned into a nightmare when she woke up one morning with excruciating pain in her left eye.
“In 2015, I went to Nairobi, Kenya for Coke Studio with Burna Boy, and we were performing. It was a lot of fun,” Vanessa began.
“I landed in Nairobi on Sunday and went to sleep. On Monday morning, I woke up with excruciating pain in my left eye. I couldn’t understand what it was. I shared with my team but didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
As the week progressed, the pain intensified, leading Vanessa to seek medical attention. She was diagnosed with retinal detachment, a serious condition that can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
“The pain got crazier as the week went on. I went to see a specialist, and he said I had experienced retinal detachment. I didn’t understand it back then, but over time I have become more informed,” she explained.
Despite undergoing an emergency procedure, Vanessa’s condition worsened, and she lost sight in her left eye about ten days later.
“The pain got crazier as the week went on… I went to see a specialist, and he said I had experienced retinal detachment. I didn’t understand it back then, but over time I have become more informed. I was losing my eyesight day by day…
“We went into some emergency procedure, and the doctor did the best he could, but we couldn’t save my eyesight. So I ended up losing my eyesight about ten days after. For someone born with two seeing eyes, it was quite a blow,” she said.
Vanessa decided to share her story as a testimony and to address the numerous speculations about her condition on social media.
She expressed her gratitude for the support she received during this challenging time.
“It was shocking. It still is. All the specialists I see don’t even understand how or why it happened,” she said, adding, “I thank God because he covered me in a way that I kept moving.”
Moving to the U.S. presented new challenges for Vanessa, including difficulties with driving.
She took a break from social media for about two to three years to focus on her mental health.
“Just before having Seven, I posted a picture on my socials, and honestly, I started seeing the picture circulate. I didn’t understand what was going on. Then I realized they were talking about my eye…and it made me a little bit insecure,” Vanessa admitted.
Despite the hardships, Vanessa also spoke about the positive impact of reconstructive surgery and the unwavering support from her husband, Rotimi.
“Thank God for reconstructive surgery and science. I had eye muscle surgery that allowed my eyeballs to get back in place… It was super successful, and I thank God,” she shared.
“Not at a hundred percent yet. My eyesight is not yet back, but we are definitely getting there.”
Vanessa expressed her deep gratitude for her husband, who has been a constant source of support and encouragement.
“I have the most supportive husband in the world because he was always complimenting me. He’s just the best,” Vanessa said.
As Vanessa continues her journey of recovery, her courage and resilience remain an inspiration to her fans worldwide.
Related: Vanessa Mdee: I Got Born Again In Nakuru When I Was 8 Years Old
