We’re excited to sit down with Dr Sarah Le Pham, optometrist and founder of Improve Eyes, to unpack her journey from employee optometrist to business owner in the mobile optometry space. Starting her career working within established practices, Sarah took the leap to build her own business, redefining how eye care can be delivered outside the traditional clinic setting. 

Hi Sarah! Can you introduce yourself to our readers!

Hi! I am Dr Sarah Le Pham and I'm the founder of Improve Eyes Mobile Optometry. I have a Bachelor of Optometry (Honours) and Bachelor of Vision Science and love to be involved in all fields of optometry. I graduated in 2016 at UNSW and worked in a mixture of independent practices and corporate practices (SS, OPSM, OW, 1001 - you name it!). I also enjoyed contributing to the advancement of optometry as a profession including being an alumni of the exec team of Young Optometrists and exec team of UNSW OptomSoc and contributing to profile pieces as a member of Optometry Australia plus many more!

Improve Eyes Mobile Optometry was founded by the need to provide eye care directly to people who finds it challenging to visit a tradtitional optometry practice, so we bring the eye clinic to patients at their chosen location.

I'm dedicated in developing long-term relationships with my patients to provide them with the compassionate and holistic eye care solutions they need as they go through life.

What made you want to start Improve Eyes?

I quickly realised that access was one of the biggest barriers to eye care and made it my mission to bridge this gap. This is not just for our vulnerable communities, but for everyday people as well. I saw people delaying routine eye exams because they couldn’t get time off work, organise transport, or fit appointments into their already busy lives.

Improve Eyes Mobile Optometry felt like a natural solution to delivering high quality eye care in a way that fits into real people’s lives. We strive to make eye care accessible and convenient to all, without compromising quality.

What was the biggest obstacle you encountered during your journey, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge in the journey of Improve Eyes Mobile Optometry for me was juggling quality time with a young family while leading the charge in advocacy and innovation with an entirely new model of delivering quality eye care services and solutions.

Overcoming this is only possible with passion, determination, consistency and the support of my close network of family and friends.

When you truly believe in a cause, it continually drives you despite the hardships.

What part of owning an optometry business brings you the most joy/satisfaction?

What I find most rewarding is to be able to provide high quality eye care, eye wear and vision solutions and meet people where they need it most. Our mission is not only to provide care to our patients but also being able to provide an enjoyable and safe workplace for our team to really thrive! It gives you the freedom to practise in a way that aligns with your values and ethics and you can create a workplace culture you’re genuinely proud of.

At Improve Eyes Mobile Optometry, our team get to do what they do best - provide quality care and have fun while doing it!

What would you say is your biggest achievement as a with Improve Eyes?

Our biggest achievement has been proving that high-quality eye care doesn’t have to be tied to a traditional clinic to be effective and trusted.

Improve Eyes Mobile Optometry has become a recognised leader of accessible healthcare and proactive in visual safety and ergonomics. We are a relied-upon provider across schools, industrial and corporate workplaces, aged care facilities, disability services and the wider community by delivering accessible healthcare that genuinely meets people where they are.

We've normalised mobile eye care as a credible, preventative healthcare solution and not a last resort. We’ve built long-term partnerships, improved continuity of care for people who were previously missing out, and shown that accessibility and convenience is available to all and can exist without compromising clinical standards.

Most importantly, we’ve shifted the conversation around eye care. It’s no longer just about vision. It’s about dignity, safety, participation, and quality of life. Being part of that change, and seeing mobile optometry recognised is something I’m incredibly proud of.

What outlets do you turn to for stress relief when work becomes overwhelming

I am a people person that's for sure! Whether its spending some quality time with my husband and kids, my family or my friends - I feel rejuvenated! In particular, I especially love exploring new cafes and pastry hot spots!

What advice would you like to give to all the YOs that are interested in opening their own business?

Opening your own practice is incredibly fulfilling but you need to be willing to commit because it is hard work and it's not all rainbows and butterflies.