Growing up, I had a secret. It wasn’t something I could explain to my friends, nor something that anyone would have guessed. My secret was that the world around me was a blur. By the time I entered first grade, I was already living with a significant prescription, but I didn’t know it yet. I thought everyone saw the world the way I did—shapes without detail, words on the chalkboard smudged into illegible streaks. I remember the first time I realized I couldn’t see clearly. My teacher asked me to read from the board, and I froze, not because I didn’t know the answer, but because I couldn’t even make out the question.
It wasn’t until I visited my first eye doctor that my world began to change. I’ll never forget the moment I slipped on my first pair of glasses. Suddenly, I could see individual leaves on trees, the expressions on my classmates’ faces, and the words in my books without having to press my nose against the page. It was as if someone had turned on the lights in a dimly lit room. That moment wasn’t just about seeing clearly—it was about the confidence and joy that comes with truly experiencing the world.
This transformation was life-changing. I excelled in school because I could finally see the material. I joined sports teams because I could track the ball. I dreamed bigger because I could visualize a future where I didn’t feel held back. My eye doctors didn’t just correct my vision; they gave me a gift that shaped who I would become—a gift that led me to pursue a career in optometry so I could do the same for others.
The ability to see is one of life’s most precious gifts. It’s more than just a biological function; it’s an art, a way of interpreting and interacting with the world around us. Vision is a sense through which we learn, connect, and believe. Seeing isn’t just physical; it’s emotional and spiritual. To see the beauty in a sunset, the joy in a child’s laughter, or the detail in a painting is to connect with life in its fullest form. It is a gift from God, reminding us to appreciate the world we live in and to strive for clarity in all aspects of life.
When we see better, we feel better. It’s remarkable how much our confidence is tied to our ability to see clearly. People often tell me how hesitant they were to drive at night or how self-conscious they felt squinting at screens during meetings. But after finding the right prescription or undergoing treatment, their whole demeanor changes. They stand taller, smile brighter, and approach life with renewed energy. Vision opens doors—literally and figuratively. It motivates us to pursue our goals because we can finally believe in ourselves and the world we see.
The motto “See More, Be More” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a reflection of my journey and my mission. Seeing more means living more—fully, boldly, and without hesitation. Every day, I strive to help my patients unlock that potential, just as my eye doctors did for me all those years ago. Because when you can see more, you can truly be more. Seeing is more than believing; it’s being. And that, to me, is the most beautiful gift of all. Alhamdulilah, All Praise to the Most High.