‘One eye doesn’t work at all’ – Maame Gyanwaa on losing her sight

Veteran Kumawood actress Mavis Yeboah, popularly known in the entertainment industry as Maame Gyanwaa, has disclosed that she has lost sight in one eye and now spends approximately GH¢6,000 every month on medication to preserve the vision in her remaining eye.

Speaking in an interview on UCook with Empress Gifty, which aired on July 26, 2026, the veteran actress emotionally recounted how what initially appeared to be a case of malaria led to the deterioration of her eyesight.

According to Maame Gyanwaa, she began experiencing severe chills after it rained and she initially assumed the cold was caused by the weather.

However, by the following dawn, her condition had worsened to the point where she decided to visit a hospital.

After undergoing medical tests, doctors diagnosed her with malaria and informed her that she would need a series of three injections. She explained that everything seemed normal until she received the third injection.

“One time, I started feeling very cold and thought it was because of the rain. But by dawn, the chills had become unbearable, so I went to the hospital. After running some tests, the doctors told me I had malaria and needed a series of injections.

“The nurse said I would receive three injections, but after the third one, my vision suddenly became dim. I told her what was happening, but she assured me I would be fine. However, when I got home and tried watching television or looking at anything, my vision was distorted,” she recounted.

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She explained that immediately after the third injection, it felt as though the lights in the room had gone off.

When she informed the nurse about the sudden change in her vision, the nurse reportedly attributed it to the fact that she had not eaten.

Maame Gyanwaa said she corrected the nurse, explaining that she had already eaten because she had been informed beforehand that she would be receiving injections.

Despite this, the nurse assured her that the blurred vision would clear. However, when she returned home, she realised her eyesight had become distorted and she could no longer see clearly.

The actress said she visited an eye clinic, where doctors informed her that there was pressure on her eyes and prescribed medication. Unfortunately, instead of improving her condition, she said the medication appeared to worsen her eyesight.

She therefore stopped seeking treatment at that facility and later visited Emmanuel Eye Clinic. After examining her condition, the doctors there informed her that they could not manage her case and referred her to St. Thomas Eye Hospital.

According to her, treatment at St. Thomas Eye Hospital was too expensive for her to afford, prompting another referral to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

However, upon arriving at Korle Bu, she discovered that the doctors who were supposed to attend to her had gone for training.

The return appointment she was given was several weeks away, but she felt she could not afford to wait because her vision was rapidly deteriorating.

She subsequently travelled to Agogo in the Ashanti Region in search of treatment, but doctors there informed her that they did not have the specialist required to handle her condition.

She was then referred to Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

At Okomfo Anokye, she said doctors administered an injection directly into her eye and informed her that the focus was now on saving her remaining eye because the other had already been severely damaged.

“The doctors told me they had to save my remaining eye because the other had been severely damaged and was affecting it as well. At Okomfo Anokye, the medication alone costs GH¢5,105. I have completely lost sight in one eye and now rely on the other, but even that isn’t as strong as it used to be.

“Aside from the GH¢5,105 for the medication, I also pay GH¢550 each time the doctors administer the treatment, excluding my transportation costs. Altogether, I spend about GH¢6,000 every month just to preserve the vision I have left,” she said.

@officialutvghana The past five years have been extremely difficult. I spend GH¢6,000 every month on medication for my eyes - Maame Gyanwa #UCook ♬ original sound - UTV Ghana