Ocushield

Ocushield exists, to let eyes thrive.

Ocushield's hero products are the worlds only Class 1, medically rated blue light blocking screen filter products (as classified by the Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK & the FDA in the USA).

In 2023, we launched an online eye screening test, completed in under 7 minutes by employees from a smartphone or laptop for corporates via intermediaries & health care partners. 

We want to enhance the optical pathway, so that the 13% of the NHS backlog in ophthalmology is improved on and 4.1 days which are lost every year to sight loss & eye issues is reduced.

Founder & SeeEO

Department for Business and Trade

My role as a DBT Export Champion is to leverage my experience and expertise in scaling internationally to provide advice, peer-to-peer support, and inspiration to businesses aiming to grow globally—particularly in the health and wellbeing sector. This helps shape government policy and funding to ensure businesses receive the targeted support needed to thrive on the global stage.

As the founder of Ocushield, a company now distributing products in over 149 countries and proud winner of the King’s Award for International Trade, I understand the challenges and opportunities of exporting. These experiences allow me to share practical insights on navigating global markets and building a successful international brand.

DBT Export Champion

Croydon Vision

Croydon Vision is a non-profit which supports and enables people with sight loss to live as independent, confident and fulfilled lives as possible. CV is a charity which supports all ages by providing a range of services at their two sites in Croydon, South London.

CV's objective is to provide individuals with sight-loss a safe space and a welcoming community. Our services meet the needs of our members throughout all stages of their lives working with children from 3 to adults and the Over 65's.

Board Trustee

City, University of London

The role of the Advisory Committee is to provide advice and guidance to the Enterprise
Education Team of City, University of London in support of the development of its strategy,
policy and activity.

The City Launch Lab is the City, University of London’s incubation space for student and graduate entrepreneurs. Currently responsible for the development of 45 companies, the Launch Lab not only provides a home for budding entrepreneurs in central London, it also provides access to an acceleration programme, mentoring activities and community focussed sharing of triumphs and challenges, as well as further provisions such as a mental health and well-being service over the course of 12 months. Currently the Launch Lab has a range of companies and as such has a big remit to keep a wide range of companies engaged and active within the space.

Advisory Board Member

Thrive Global

I contribute pieces on health, wellness and technology to empower living a better life in the digital age.  

Thrive Global is an American company that provides behavior change technology and media to individuals and organizations around the world with the mission of ending the stress and burnout epidemic. It was founded by Arianna Huffington in August 2016.

Contributor

Boots Opticians

When people have problems with their vision, they visit an optometrist. Optometrists specialize in diagnosing problems with the visual system and providing corrective solutions that will improve their patients'​ sight.

Optometrists use specialized instruments to diagnose their patients'​ vision problems. For example, they use ophthalmoscopes to see inside of the eye, and retinoscopes to see how patients react to different lens strengths.

After a diagnosis is made, optometrists prescribe medicines, glasses, contact lenses, or other corrective eye wear that will improve their patients' vision.

Sometimes, optometrists find problems with the eyes that are caused by serious diseases like glaucoma. In these cases, optometrists must refer the patient to a medical doctor who can help treat the problem.

Locum Optometrist

Specsavers

Resident Optometrist

Vision Express

•	Conducting visual screening at corporate events for companies such as Financial Ombudsmen and Waitrose
•	Training new members of staff on customer care, product awareness, KPI's and merchandising

Corporate Screening

Croydon Council

Youth service managers had real doubts about how YOF/YCF could be safely and effectively managed by the already overstretched services. This is where the fund and management team was set up. Who better than the youth of the borough? Our task was to distribute £300,000 of the government’s money to projects and youth in the Borough. This allowed communities to improve local services and facilities via application for funds through being granted by us.

Mangement Team - Croydon Youth Opportunity Fund and Youth Captial Fund

Optometrist & Founder, Ocushield | Workplace Eye Wellness Expert | Featured on Dragons Den, Forbes & USA Today | B Corp Certified | King's Award Recipient

Whilst studying Optometry at university, I launched the development of the initial product offering at Ocushield - medically registered blue light filtering technology that make eyes healthier, improves sleep and makes people happier. 

Currently supplying our online eye screening test, accessible for employees and patients via a web URL or app. Working with Benenden Health, AON, AIG Insurance and more... 

Having received a development grant from City University of London, I built Ocushield into an internationally distributed, MHRA/FDA medically registered product that transformed hundreds of thousands of peoples eye health and quality of life.

From humble beginnings to building Ocushield, getting featured on Dragons' Den (and winning over Peter Jones & Tej Lalvani in the process), Forbes, The Guardian & USA Today - talking about eye health and blue light, it’s been an entrepreneurial journey full of ups and downs and yes a lot of lessons.

At Ocushield, we have helped over 300,000 eyes in over 147 countries with our products to protect their eyes. 

We envision a world aware of eye health in the times of the booming digitisation and the accompanying eye strain thus helping people develop healthier eyes and happier lives.

I'm 33 today 🥳


And like every birthday, it’s a good excuse to reflect.

Over the last few years, I’ve built a business, worked with amazing people, made mistakes, celebrated wins, and kept learning.

So here it is - 16 business lessons and 17 personal ones I’ve picked up along the way:

Business...

- Brand matters more than product. If people don’t remember you, they won’t buy from you.
- Speed beats perfection.
- Customers will tell you what to build - if you’re listening.
- Great businesses are built by great people.
- Don’t jump on every shiny trend - stick to your strengths.
- Focus is underrated.
- Cash flow is king, but profit keeps you free.
- Your gut knows more than you think.
- Hire slowly, fire kindly, but decisively.
- If you can’t tell your story in 30 seconds, it’s too long.
- Filter the advice - not everyone gets your journey.
- Momentum is hard to build, easy to lose.
- You can’t scale without letting go.
- Market matters more than you think.
- Everyone starts clueless. That’s normal.
- Being kind gets you further than being right.

Personal...

- Health first - everything else follows.
- Your partner is the most important decision in your life
- The best moments are usually the smallest ones.
- Keep your circle small and solid.
- Love looks different across cultures - learn to see it.
- You don’t have to fit a mould to win.
- Comparison will rob your joy. Every time.
- Time is your most valuable asset.
- Talk to someone when you need to. No shame in it.
- Say what matters while you can.
- Running helped me reset - physically and mentally.
- Writing things down is therapy.
- Balance includes dessert.
- Being busy isn’t the goal - being fulfilled is.
- Choose someone who’s your teammate in life.
- It’s okay to grow apart from people.
- Gratitude genuinely shifts your mindset. Every time.


Thanks to everyone who's been part of the ride so far - fiancé, family, friends, team, mentors, customers.

You’ve shaped more of these lessons than you know 💙

Dhruvin Patel

Optometrist & SeeEO, Ocushield | Workplace Wellness Expert | As seen on Dragons’ Den | King's Award Recipient

I’ve built a business without doing ice baths. 
I’ve built a business without waking up at 5 am.
I’ve built a business without reading a load of books.

I don’t have a perfect work-life balance.
I don’t hire & lead teams effortlessly.
I don’t always eat the healthiest.

Because guess what?

I’m human (shocking, I know).

Social media makes it look like all business owners do all these things.

But as someone who’s a spent a decade in entrepreneurship…

I know for a fact that’s a load of rubbish.

Yes, it may work for some people.

But for me… the only things you need to build a good business are:

1/ A genuine passion for what you do.
2/ A willingness to learn from failures.
3/ A LOT of hard work.

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula.

Focus on what actually matters.

I’m not the highest paid Ocushield team member.
Yet I’m the CEO.

Sound odd?

Well, it’s not generally - when it comes to startups.

I’ve spoken to numerous companies…

We’re competing for the best talent out there.

We want to ensure we can attract them.

So, if that means paying yourself less… to pay someone else more,

Then, it’s a no brainer.

If you’re a startup or leader creating something of long term value…

Think long term.

I always believe in delay gratification as a life principle.

Waiting for longer to reap the rewards and hopefully larger rewards is a win for everyone.

So next time you may want to increase your salary, or take a bonus…

Think of your team.

P.S - of course, most founders hold higher amounts of equity and that feeds into that long term reward and short term sacrifice.

This is how Lidl has won me over.
& it’s not about price.

(Sorry mum, who is a loyal Tesco employee)

Lidl is growing significantly in the UK, X amount of growth.

These three very clever elements are driving their success.

1 / Middle Aisles

Being able to create an experience where the customer will be pleasantly surprised to find something they didn’t know they needed! Who else loves walking down the middle aisle, just to “explore” - it’s a bit like scrolling a Tik Tok feed until a video captures your attention enough to watch

2 / Digital integrated strategy

Their app actually gives customers rewards that are useful. Sainsbury’s given nectar point to redeem against future shops. Lidl? They give you a chance to win a free bakery item or more every time you shop! That sugar rush creates a positive shopping experience with Lidl.

3/ Simple merchandising

It’s sooo much easier to find what you need in a Lidl/Aldi than a Sainsbury’s, Tesco or Waitrose for example… the stores are a perfect size to not have too much or too little with a maximum 5 aisles - so you know, what you need is going to be near by.

If you think about it, it’s the small things that Lidl are doing to win customers.

The feeling of joy (through middle aisle excitement)
A dopamine hit (albeit short term through sugar) 
Less load on the brain, people have enough to think about after a full day of work to do a treasure hunt in a supermarket

Why is this important?

Well, whatever industry you’re in - think about how you can create those different but special moments for your customers.

I never thought my body could run for 2 hours straight.


But a couple weeks ago, I did.

I ran a half marathon with my fiancée.

And somewhere along the way, it hit me…

It’s not just about the finish line.

It’s about what running teaches you in the process.

Clarity.
Discipline.
Resilience.
Connection.

Things that translate far beyond fitness.

Here’s what I took from the journey:

- A strong heart supports a sharp mind
Without physical health, it’s hard to perform mentally.

- Clarity comes with movement
Some of my best ideas come mid-run, not mid-meeting.

- Resilience is built, not found
Training forces you to show up even when you don’t want to.

- Sleep improves when your body is working for it
Deeper rest, faster recovery – it all adds up.

- Doing hard things together strengthens relationships
Running with someone builds trust. Momentum. Shared energy.

I used to think running was boring.
Now I see it as a tool.

Not just for health – but for my mind, my mood, and my work.

Here's to completing my first half marathon...

Will I be doing a full marathon anytime soon?! Probably not, 4 hours of running isn't appealing to me, just yet :P

I used to think hard work was the key to success.
My mum proved me wrong.

Growing up, I thought my mum was invincible.

She worked and looked after everyone...
And still somehow had time to ask if I’d eaten
(even when I was a grown adult, running a business).

It wasn’t until later that I realised she wasn’t superhuman!

She was just really good at putting everyone else first.

Sound familiar?

Mothers...
Whether at home or in the workplace,
often prioritise everything except their own wellbeing.

And that’s a lesson I’ve seen mirrored in business, too.

1/ Hard work is essential,
but burnout isn’t a badge of honour.

2/ Looking after others is important,
but not at the expense of yourself.

3/ You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Whether you’re running a household, a business, or both.

So, this year's Mother’s Day,
I didn't just say “thank you” to my mum.
I also took a page from her book...
Learning when to step back, and prioritise health.

To everyone reading this,
when’s the last time you took a break?
(And no, scrolling LinkedIn doesn’t count.)

P.S. Belated Happy Mother's Day to all mums out there!

Health isn’t a side project.
It’s not your weekend goal.
It’s not the thing you "get to later."

It’s the foundation.

The engine behind your energy.
The reason you show up clear, focused, and steady.

And for me, it's personal.
I run a business that’s all about protecting people’s vision.
But for a long time, I wasn’t protecting my own.

I’d skip meals,
stretch calls into evenings,
fall asleep with my laptop still on my lap.

Until one day I realised...
You can’t preach health and ignore your own.

And here's the truth:

The cost of ignoring your health will always catch up.
And it won't wait for a gap in your schedule.

Your back hurts because you never stretch.
Your eyes sting because you stare without breaks.
Your mood dips because you skip sleep, again.

You deserve better than running on fumes.

And your body?
It’s not being difficult.
It’s sending a message:

→ Move more.
→ Sleep better.
→ Protect your eyes.
→ Drink the water.
→ Take the break.

Health isn’t about perfection.
It’s about patterns.

The small, sustainable choices you repeat.
That add up.
That keep you well.

The work matters. But you do too.

So if you’re building a vision,
build a body that can carry it.
Slow down if you need to.
That deadline will wait.
Your wellbeing shouldn't.

No one claps in the beginning.
That’s when most people quit.

When I started Ocushield:

→ I was juggling work
→ I got ghosted by suppliers
→ I did a lot of pitches
→ Our first website looked… rough 😅

There were no standing ovations.
No “big break.”
Just a small product and a big mission.
But I kept showing up. And over time?

→ Our website ranked organically
→ Protected hundreds of thousands of eyes
→ Built a team I trust
→ Created something that actually helps

If you’re building something and it’s quiet right now...
that’s okay. It’s meant to be.

Most growth looks like silence before it looks like traction.

What part of your journey felt silent but shaped everything that came after?

P.S. If it feels like no one’s clapping yet, keep building. Your momentum is louder than you think!

Fear gets results. Love builds loyalty.
So, which one actually works?

I had a manager in my team, who once who led with fear.

Sharp words, impossible deadlines, and a look
that could make you reconsider your entire career.

And to be fair, it worked… for a while.

People hit targets.
No one dared to slack.

But the moment they could leave, they did!

There was no loyalty, no trust, just stress.

Machiavelli famously asked:
"Is it better to be feared or loved?"

He argued that fear is more reliable because
people will respect you even when times are tough.

But best leaders in business don’t just command respect, they earn it.

Fear might push people to work harder,
but it won’t make them stay.

Love without authority can lead to chaos,
but love with respect creates real loyalty.

The best leaders I’ve worked with balance both:
they set high standards, but they also genuinely care.

So, what do you think?

Is Machiavelli right?
Should leaders aim to be feared?
Or has leadership changed?

Ever feel exposed checking your phone on the train?


I recently found myself in a bustling train station
when I accidentally caught a glimpse of a
very personal conversation on a stranger’s device.

That moment struck me hard
cos privacy shouldn’t be a luxury!
It’s a necessity in today’s tech-driven world.

Our screens are extensions of ourselves,
often displaying private messages, dating app messages,
photos of your kids & even confidential work stuff.

With 82% of smartphone users worrying
about prying eyes in public spaces,
privacy is still increasingly hard to come by.

I was convinced we could integrate this feature
into what we already offer at Ocushield and
develop a solution that makes a real difference.

Our newly launched iPhone privacy screen protectors
ensure that your screen is only visible to you,
even in crowded, public spaces.

They also filter up to 30% of harmful blue light,
helping to protect your eyes and support better sleep,
as they’re medically registered, 
you can trust they’re built with your health in mind.

Here are some key takeaways:

1/ Enhanced Security

Keep your confidential business
information safe from prying eyes.

2/ Innovative Design

A sleek solution that blends seamlessly with
your device without compromising on style.

3/ Peace of Mind

Protect not just data, but your
personal space in a public world.

In a time when a moment’s distraction could lead
to unintentional breaches of privacy,
having a reliable shield has never been more important.

How do you safeguard your digital privacy in today’s connected world?

HR teams have improved everything about how we work.
Except the ONE thing we use most.

We prioritise mental health, hybrid working and perks.
But the a key organ everyone uses to work...? Still overlooked.

Eye care in the workplace is broken.

We speak to HR teams all the time who’ve invested in the old, traditional eye care benefits.

But on average, only 6% of employees actually use them.

That’s despite 90% of employees using screens and experiencing digital eye strain.

And on top of that, it’s costing businesses 4.1 days per employee, every year.

People are finishing early or stretching their breaks because their eyes are tired.

Here’s the problem.

Most eye care voucher schemes / internal policies are built for the 30% of employees who already wear glasses.

The 70% who don’t? They’re overlooked.

And when using the benefit means finding a policy, requesting a voucher and waiting for approval, it’s no surprise engagement is so low.

That’s why we built something better.

A simple online eye screening employees can do in 4 minutes from their phone or laptop.

And a managed voucher service that removes the admin and the noise.

No chasing policies.
No inbox clutter.
No bulk buying.

Just a clear, proactive route to better eye health at work.

Because this shouldn’t be a tick-box benefit.

It should actually help people feel and perform better.

Curious how your team compares to the 6% average? Get in touch or leave a comment.

We charge our phones before they hit 5%.


But we ignore our own signs of hitting 5%.

Eyes stinging?
“Keep pushing.”

Brain fog?
“Must be stress.”

Headaches at your laptop?
“Probably dehydration.”

No. It’s your body asking you to look up.

Take the break.
Screen your eyes.
Protect your focus.

You are not a machine.
Don’t wait for your battery to hit 1%.

This is still a work in progress for me too...
but worth every effort!

What small signal have you been ignoring lately?

34% increase in COGS. Overnight.


That’s what we woke up to with Trump’s new tariffs.

We manufacture a bulk of our products in South Korea,
and more than half of our trade is to US-based customers.

It didn’t come with a warning. Just a headline…
 …and suddenly, the numbers in 
our spreadsheet didn’t add up anymore.

Moments like this remind me:

Business isn’t just about big wins and launch days.

It’s about the curveballs.
The uncontrollables.
The pressure of figuring things out, fast
when the rules change overnight.

Here’s what I’m taking from this moment:

1/ Even the best plans can be torn up in a day

No matter how meticulous you are, 
external forces can rewrite everything.

2/ Adaptability is the real competitive edge

It’s not about having all the answers, 
it’s about how quickly you can pivot.

3/ Small businesses carry the weight

Big players might ride this out.
But for many small teams, this is survival mode.

So what can be done right now?

→ Test price elasticity
Can your customer absorb a 3–5% increase without churn?

→ Renegotiate with your manufacturers
Flexibility might be possible, 
especially if they’re also trying to hold onto volume.

→ Absorb it, but reallocate focus
Where else in your business can you 
drive returns to offset the margin hit?

I used to think planning was everything.

Now I know that resilience, not perfection, 
is what keeps a business alive.

To everyone building through uncertainty: I see you.

What’s helping you navigate this wave?
Can you share what’s working (and what isn’t).

As a leader your job is to protect your team.


There was someone in my team, who is their own worst enemy.

They don’t take time off.

They don’t put any leave in their calendar.

Then, when they least expect it - they become unwell.

Because they’re burned out, stressed or just need a break.

I admire the will to keep putting the hours, in - I really do.

I’ve been there.

But for my team, the above isn’t sustainable.

As a leader, I need to ensure I’m reminded them to have processes in place to not neglect holidays.

Putting holidays in their request forms in advance for our 1-1’s.

It not only helps them, but it helps the organisation.

Planned out of office is way better than abrupt, length time off from key staff members.

Have you experience this before in your teams?

I used to think only “big wins” counted.


You know...

📣 A new product launch
🎯 Hit £25k daily sales
🏆 Reach 100K impressions on a LinkedIn post (lol)

But here’s what I celebrate now:

✅ Took a lunch break without guilt
✅ Delegated that task I had no business doing
✅ Slept 8 hours

Because the stuff that actually builds your business?

Isn’t loud.
It’s small.
It’s boring.
And it works.

Hype is overrated.
Consistency is underrated.

Just me, or can anyone else relate…

If so, what’s one “quiet win” you’ve had last week?

Whilst everyone is busy trying AI tools, I’m doing the opposite.


I'm waiting for the dust to settle.

There’s sooo much coming out.
AI tools, left, right and centre.

For email optimisation, for enhancing your team
Outreach for business development

You name it, there’s an AI tool for it

But, I’ve been there - tried and failed

Testing new tools out in their infancy

Some work, like Fyxer AI (great email management tool)

Others, just s*ck…

I’m waiting for my network or expert team members to tell me - what really is of value

Then adopting it.

We only have so many hours in a day.

Discovering tools is an expensive hobby - if you can afford it, it’s great!

But if you’re time poor, like most founders or leaders etc - trust me, the above approach will save you some headspace rushing to try the new shiny object going viral on LinkedIn, like Broady or whatever else is next… or was next.

Running a business can feel like mental sprinting.


Constant motion.
Endless tabs open in your brain.
Always thinking three steps ahead.

But a few evenings a week, I slow it all down.
No phone. No notifications.
Just me, a brush, and an empty canvas.

Painting isn’t just a hobby.
It’s a reset button.
When I paint, I don’t think about strategy or scaling.

I think about light.
Colour.
The curve of a brushstroke.
And weirdly? That stillness.

It unlocks some of my best ideas.
Not because I’m pushing... but because I’m not.

There’s no client to impress.
No metric to hit.
No outcome to optimise.

Just space.
Stillness.
Flow.

I started painting as a way to unwind.
But now I see it as part of the work... the inner work.

The kind that no one sees on LinkedIn
but makes everything else better.

We all need something that takes us out of the buzz,
and back into our bodies. Something creative.
Quiet. Unproductive (on purpose).

For me, it’s painting.

What’s yours?

P.S - I gave this to my mum, as a gift for mothers day. Making things are perfect gifts for friends and family too!

Logos don’t build loyalty. People do.


When I started Ocushield,
I wasn’t chasing a logo.
I was chasing trust.

Because people don’t just care what you sell.
They care why you show up.

We’re past the era of perfect branding.

Now it’s about:

→ Who’s behind the product?
→ Do they live their values?
→ Can I trust what they stand for?

The future isn’t about looking polished.
It’s about being real.

At Ocushield, we’ve always chosen real over perfect.
And when customers reach out saying,
"I didn’t just buy the product, I bought into the mission"…
That’s when I know we’re doing something right.

People buy from people.
They stay for honesty.
Trust is the new brand equity.

So, if you stripped the logo off your brand, would people still trust it?

Productivity isn’t just about what you do.
It’s about what drains you.

5 False Habits That Steal Your Time:

1/ Calendar stuffing
→ You don’t need more slots.
→ You need more clarity.

2/ All-day Slack energy
→ Constant pinging = zero depth.
→ Mute to protect flow.

3/ Metrics obsession
→ Data ≠ strategy.
→ Use what matters.
→ Ignore the noise.

4/ Back-to-back meetings
→ Tired minds = poor decisions.
→ Add breathing space.

5/ Eye strain & brain fog
→ Rest your eyes.
→ Recharge your focus.

These are the changes that helped me work smarter, not harder.

Which of these are you guilty of, and what will you change this week?

The biggest challenges often come without warning.


We saw it during the pandemic.
Sales channels flipped overnight
physical retail slowed,
but online demand skyrocketed.

It pushed us to grow in ways we never planned,
but desperately needed.

We're seeing a new shift now
with rising costs, new regulations,
and yes, even changes to tariffs.

But this time the effect feels different.
Not growth, but pressure.
Not opportunity, but friction.

One day your numbers make sense.
The next, they don’t.

What it teaches you, fast:

→ Adaptability beats planning.
→ Complexity is expensive.
→ Clarity is a business advantage.

When our cost base shifted overnight,
we didn’t just tweak prices.
We zoomed out.

Where were we bloated?
What was distracting us from our core?
What value do customers really care about?

This kind of forced focus isn’t easy.
But it’s valuable.
Because when everything shakes, the strongest ideas hold.

We didn’t see the change coming.
But we’re walking out of it sharper.
Your team doesn’t need certainty.
They need clear decisions in uncertain times.

What’s helped you lead through unexpected shifts?

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