If you’re exploring more natural or personalised approaches to managing your eye health, you may have come across the term holistic eye care. But what exactly does it mean? And how can you be sure your optometrist is offering a comprehensive view of your visual well-being, not just your eyesight?
At Microprism Vision in Melbourne, we believe in empowering patients to ask the right questions. Holistic eye care goes beyond standard prescriptions to consider how your eyes, brain, body, and lifestyle all work together.
Whether you’re a first-time patient or looking to change your approach to vision care, here are the top five questions to ask your optometrist about holistic eye care, plus what their answers should tell you.
1. How Do You Assess More Than Just 20/20 Vision?
A standard eye exam checks for visual clarity and refractive errors. But holistic optometry evaluates how well your entire visual system functions, including eye teaming, tracking, focus flexibility, and brain-eye coordination.
Ask your optometrist:
“Do you assess how my eyes and brain work together, not just whether I can read the eye chart?”
At Microprism Vision, our comprehensive visual-neurological assessments go far beyond routine tests. We evaluate posture, visual processing, and functional vision to uncover the root causes of your symptoms, not just the surface-level indicators.
2. Do You Offer Personalised Treatment Plans Based on My Lifestyle and Needs?
Holistic eye care is never one-size-fits-all. Your work environment, screen time, posture, and even stress levels can affect your vision.
Ask your optometrist:
“How do you tailor treatment based on my day-to-day habits and visual demands?”
A practitioner focused on holistic care will consider your lifestyle, symptoms, and goals before recommending a solution. For example, our clinic may offer Microprism™ lenses, therapy exercises, or ergonomic advice depending on your unique visual profile.
3. What Are My Options for Improving Vision Naturally, Without Surgery or Stronger Prescriptions?
One of the key pillars of holistic optometry is the belief that vision can often be trained and improved, not just corrected.
Ask your optometrist:
“Are there ways I can improve my vision naturally or reduce my dependence on glasses?”
At Microprism Vision, we’ve helped many patients reduce prescription strength and relieve symptoms like fatigue and eye strain using:
- Microprism™ lenses
- Vision therapy
- Quantum Photo Somatics™ light therapy
- Postural and neurological retraining
These non-invasive tools are designed to support the natural function of your eyes and nervous system.
4. How Do You Integrate Mental Health and Stress into Eye Care?
Stress and anxiety can directly affect eye function, reducing blink rate, altering focus, and triggering tension in the face and neck. Holistic optometrists understand that emotional well-being plays a role in how you see and process visual information.
Ask your optometrist:
“Do you take stress and emotional health into account in your assessments?”
At our clinic, we often see patients whose visual issues are tied to chronic stress or sensory overload. Our holistic strategies include light-based therapy and nervous system regulation techniques that ease tension and improve clarity.
5. What Long-Term Support Do You Offer for Ongoing Vision Health?
Holistic care isn’t just about one appointment, it’s about building a plan for sustainable, long-term vision health.
Ask your optometrist:
“How do you monitor progress and adjust my care as my vision changes?”
At Microprism Vision, we work closely with each patient over time, offering reassessments, therapy progress reviews, and updates to treatment as needed. We want to help you build a strong, functional visual system that supports you in all areas of life.
Choosing the Right Path for Your Eyes
Asking these questions doesn’t just ensure you’re getting the right care, it shows that you’re taking an active role in your health. Holistic optometry is about more than eyesight; it’s about helping you feel confident, capable, and clear in how you see the world.
Ready to take a deeper look at your vision?
Book your personalised assessment at Microprism Vision and experience holistic eye care designed for your life, not just your prescription.
Schedule an appointment or learn more about our approach.