When the pandemic first struck, the world had to rapidly adjust to a new reality—social distancing and remote work became the norm almost overnight. It was astonishing how quickly my team and I adapted to working seamlessly from home. In fact, I found my work efficiency improving. However, as time went on, I realized that this newfound productivity came at a cost. I was overworking myself, neglecting my health, and pushing my limits without even realizing it.
My day would begin with a flurry of screen time—checking my phone the moment I woke up, moving on to my computer, then to my iPad, and finally winding down with more screen exposure through my phone and TV. It wasn’t long before this excessive screen time took a toll. About four months into the pandemic, I woke up one morning to find a dark shadow in my right eye. At first, I thought I was dreaming, but when I realized it was real, panic set in. Although the shadow gradually faded after four hours, I began to see rainbows around lights—a surreal and alarming experience.
I immediately sought help from an optometrist, who conducted a thorough examination and recommended that I go to the emergency room right away. She had discovered a hemorrhage in my right eye, and my eyes were severely dry. When I visited the specialist, I was struck by how out of place I felt—I was 33 years old, surrounded by patients old enough to be my grandparents. The doctor conducted various tests but couldn’t pinpoint the exact cause. Initially, he suspected diabetes, but my results came back normal. Despite this, he emphasized the dryness and strain on my eyes, warning that surgery might be necessary if the condition worsened.
The mere mention of surgery left me in a state of shock, and all I could focus on was the dryness of my eyes. As someone who has followed a plant-based diet for years, I strongly believe in the health benefits it offers both individuals and the planet. However, I realized that even a healthy diet must be balanced. My diet was missing a critical component for eye health—DHA, a type of Omega-3 fatty acid. The best sources of Omega-3s include fish, walnuts, and flaxseed, none of which were part of my regular diet, especially since I don’t eat fish.
Determined to restore my health, I began taking vegan DHA derived from algae. After finishing the first bottle, the dark shadow disappeared. Two years later, my eyes have fully recovered, and I am grateful for the healing power of this supplement.
Some may argue that they don’t need supplements because they eat whatever they want. However, the reality is that our busy modern lifestyles limit the variety of foods we consume daily. While nutritionists recommend a “rainbow diet” rich in diverse, healthy foods, fast food and convenience diets often fall short of providing the nutrients our bodies require.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily intake of 250-500mg of DHA and EPA, yet the average person consumes only 100-150mg—far below the recommended amount. Unlike our ancestors, who foraged for a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and meats, modern diets are often monotonous and nutritionally insufficient. This lack of variety, combined with the demands of urban living, makes it challenging to meet our nutritional needs.
As we age, the consequences of an imbalanced diet become more apparent, increasing the risk of illness. In my 20s, I didn’t believe in supplements—I was young, resilient, and recovered quickly from any ailment. But after experiencing severe dry eyes, I learned a hard lesson. I started taking vegan DHA at 33 and continue to do so today. There’s so much beauty in the world, and I want to take care of my eyes to ensure I don’t miss a single moment.
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