Our Eye Care Practice
Bellevue & Kirkland

Yes, Dr. David Kading and Dr. Kristi Kading are husband and wife. And yes, they are both optometrists.

But wait, there’s more.

As an author and podcast host, Dr. David Kading talks the talk and walks the walk of specialized eye care. 

Growing up in land-locked South Dakota prompted Dr. Kading to follow his passion for eye care to the West Coast where he breathed in the salty ocean air and attended Pacific University College of Optometry in Portland, Oregon, graduating with his doctor of optometry degree.

Professional career quick facts:

• Dr. David Kading primarily sees teens and adults.
• Specializes in treating front-of-the-eye problems like allergies, red eyes, dry eye syndrome, keratoconus, corneal degenerations, and other diseases.
• Completed post-doctorate residency training in the evaluation and fitting of specialty contact lenses for high astigmatism, high prescriptions, multifocal lenses, corneal reshaping therapy (orthokeratology) for children and adults, and solving visual problems after eye disease or surgery.
• Completed a residency program emphasizing front-of-the-eye disease, dry eye treatment, and fitting contact lenses for complex eye states and diseases. 
• During residency, he was chief of the contact lens department at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, overseeing all contact lens treatments for veterans who had sustained eye injuries or who had eye diseases.
• He also worked at the Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) in the cornea section fitting specialty-designed contact lenses.

Dr. Kading is active in various dry eye, contact lens, and contact lens solution research studies, and is a consultant and key opinion leader for several eye care manufacturers. He writes articles and has performed hundreds of lectures nationally and internationally on the topics of keratoconus, irregular corneas, dry eye, anterior segment disease, contact lenses, contact lens solutions, and practice management. 

You can listen to Dr. Kading’s podcast, Optometric Insights to learn more about the fascinating world of optometry.

Professional involvement:

• Serves as the education chair for optometrist education with the Optometric Physicians of Washington.
• Volunteers many hours with King County Optometric Society.
• Is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and is active in committees & the formation of an Anterior Segment Special Interest Group.
• The only fellow in Washington State to have earned such status in the Contact Lens Society of America.

He is a member of the Bellevue Rotary Club and enjoys volunteering on community projects and fundraisers. Dr. Kading is also committed to helping provide eye care to the less fortunate around the world. In his free time, Dr. Kading likes to travel, hike, bike, train for triathlons, and spend time with his family.

Interested in learning more about optometry? Read through Dr. Kading’s research and papers in his blog, Optometric Insights.

Is Dr. Kristi Kading married to Dr. David Kading? Yes. Is she an expert optometrist who specialized in pediatrics and vision therapy? Also yes.

Words that describe Dr. Kading? Kind. Compassionate. Thorough.

Specialties:

• Pediatrics (infants, children) and teen eye care
• Patients with vision-related learning problems
• Vision therapy & adults with vision problems like eye turns (strabismus), lazy eye (amblyopia), double vision, acquired or traumatic brain injuries, eye problems affecting learning, playing, and working.

Professional career quick facts:

• Graduated from Pacific University College of Optometry with a doctor of optometry degree.
• Residency trained and board-certified in visual development and optometric vision therapy.
• Asked to be the first pediatric, binocular vision and rehabilitation resident for Pacific University.
• Residency training included pediatric eye care, vision therapy, the Pediatric and Strabismus Referral Center, and neuro-rehabilitative vision treatment.
• Worked in conjunction with Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) co-managing pediatric cases and patients with strabismus and amblyopia.
• Consultant for Johnson and Johnson’s vision care department for topics related to pediatric eye care and contact lens technology.
• Enjoys lecturing nationally to parent groups, schools, and other physicians. 
• Speaks in the Evergreen Hospital parent-baby classes regularly.
• Is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO)
• Board certified in visual development and vision therapy through the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (FCOVD).

Dr. Kading has a passion for giving hope to patients of all ages. She is grateful her work helps people change their vision by changing their brains. Dr. Kristi Kading co-manages patients with acquired brain injury with Evergreen Health’s Rehabilitation Center and many neurologists in the area. 

She is very involved with the Children’s Vision Task Force with the Optometric Physicians of Washington and actively volunteers many hours with the InfantSEE® program, a national public health program that provides complimentary comprehensive eye assessments for infants 6 months to 1-year-old. 

She enjoys volunteering in the local community with Children’s Vision Task Force projects as well as the global community with eye care missions. In her free time, Dr. Kristi likes to spend time with her family, read, travel, and enjoy the Pacific Northwest.

Dr. Sydney Kapp grew up in Dallas, Texas, and ventured to the University of Missouri—St. Louis College of optometry to obtain her doctorate in optometry. Following graduation, she was called to the the Pacific Northwest, where she completed her residency program, specializing in pediatric optometry and visual rehabilitation.

During residency, she gained experience treating children with strabismus (eye misalignment), amblyopia (lazy eye), and vision-related learning difficulties, as well as treating patients of all ages with acquired or traumatic brain injuries.

Passions:

• Diagnosing & treating binocular vision, ensuring both eyes are in sync.
• Utilizing specialty lenses and vision therapy to help young patients and adults achieve their most comfortable functional vision.

Being new to the Pacific Northwest, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, hiking, and photography. She is also an avid cook and traveler. 

Dr. Chan has always had a heart for serving others. From a young age she desired to use her gifts and talents to help those in need. Partaking in several missions trips to Mexico in high school sparked her passion for people and health care. She earned her doctor of Optometry degree at Pacific University and participated in, and led multiple eyecare mission trips to Latin America. After practicing in Canada for several years, she relocated to Washington state. Here she faithfully serves her local community with her optometric expertise and compassionate heart.

Dr. Amy Gu grew up in Toronto, Ontario. She attended the University of Waterloo for her undergraduate studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with Dean’s honours. She continued her studies at the University of Waterloo and went on to receive her Doctor of Optometry degree 4 years later. Upon graduation from optometry school, Dr. Amy Gu received the prestigious Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) Leadership Award – provided annually to the member of the graduating class who demonstrates academic excellence and leadership that is reflective of the CAO’s values of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and
impact. During her time in optometry school, she participated on volunteer trips to the Philippines and Jamaica. During this time, she provided eye care to those who could not otherwise afford or receive such care. She is passionate about providing care to those in need and advocating for accessible healthcare for all.

Special Interests:
– Myopia Management
– Keratoconus
– Specialty Contact Lenses (orthokeratology / ortho-K, scleral lenses, rigid gas
permeable lenses / RGPs, hybrids, custom prosthetic contact lenses)
– Dry Eye

Dr. Amy Gu can provide eye exams in English, Mandarin, and limited French and Japanese. She is board certified to practice optometry in both Canada and the United States.

She is excited to be on the west coast and looks forward to exploring Washington state and experiencing all of its natural beauty. Outside of clinic, you may spot her at local cafés or at the public library.

Kari was born and raised in Missoula, MT, and moved to the Pacific Northwest following her graduation from the University of Montana. 

Professional career quick facts:

• Graduated with an associate degree in medical office technologies & a certificate in medical reception from the University of Montana (Go Grizzlies!).
• Has worked 20+ years in the eye care industry.
• Is a certified paraoptometric assistant.

When Kari isn’t busy helping the Kading’s run Specialty Eye, she enjoys golfing, the sunny outdoors, and when the 2 are combined with her son Darius—she truly is at her happiest.

Jeneal Wilson was born and raised in Bakersfield, California, and loves helping patients choose the perfect pair of glasses.

Professional career quick facts:

• Graduated with a bachelor’s degree from California State University of Bakersfield.
• Has worked at Specialty Eye since 2019.
• Became a certified paraoptometric in 2019.
• Is working on becoming ABO certified.

Jeneal is married and has a golden Aussie named Oliver. Jeneal is a foodie and loves exploring the local cuisine, especially the dog-friendly spots.

Kyrie was born and raised in Visalia, CA, and moved to the Pacific Northwest after high school to attend Everest College for several billing and coding certifications.

Professional career quick facts:

• 10+ years of billing experience in multiple healthcare fields

• Optometric billing is her passion

• Completed associate of applied science in business management & accounting in 2022

• Has worked at Specialty Eye since 2017

• Works from home and lives in California since 2019

When Kyrie isn’t working, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her family and two furbabies.

Genevieve is a born and raised Coloradoan and has been in Washington since early 2021. She went to Colorado State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science with a major in Rangeland Ecology and minored in Forest and Ranger Management.  From there she pursued a passion for nature and worked with the United States Forest Service as a Ranger Technician. 

Genevieve joined the Specialty Eyecare Group team in 2022.  She loves being able to enrich people’s lives so that they can succeed to their full potential.

In her free time, she enjoys a wide variety of hobbies but especially loves plants, animals, and art.

Katie Chapman feels most rewarded when helping other people. She was drawn to vision therapy after learning all the components that make up our vision and perception, and how much it can affect one’s daily life.  She finds a holistic therapeutic approach is the most effective when working with patients and likes to learn about their lives.  

Professional career quick facts:

• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant 
• Experience with autism, ADHD, behavioral issues and developmental delays, and traumatic brain injuries. 
• Previously worked as a teacher’s Assistant and One on One aide for children with special needs. 
• Has completed 2,000 of Vision Therapy sessions, and is studying for exams for certifications at COVD.  

Katie moved to Seattle 5 years ago and likes to be outdoors rain or shine. Getting up in the mountains to hike or ski is always a treat. She adopted a hound/pit bull mix 2 years ago and loves to spoil him (Monty). She likes to host friends for game nights and make massive charcuterie boards.