Mikaeel grew up with a younger sibling who was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)—an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the joints—in conjunction with JIA-associated uveitis, which is an inflammation of the uvea (the middle layer of the eye). As a result, he developed a greater awareness for diseases of the eye and a special interest in how they are treated. After having volunteered at organizations such as the Civil Hospital Karachi, Edhi Foundation, and Layton Rahmatullah Benevolent Trust (LRBT) over the years, Mikaeel gained a deeper understanding of the insufficient access to basic healthcare for so many people in Pakistan. He was motivated to establish Clearly to provide basic eye care for children from low socioeconomic backgrounds in Karachi, Pakistan. Mikaeel learned to perform visual acuity screenings at The Eye Centre at South City Hospital Karachi, under the guidance of ophthalmologist Dr. Mahnaz Naveed Shah, which laid the foundations for the work that Clearly is able to conduct today.