Our Eye Care Practice
Bellevue, Kirkland, & Seattle

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. 

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.

Dr. Lauren Downey is a Southern California native that spent the last 4 years in Boston and has finally made it back to the west coast. She went to the University of California, Santa Barbara for undergraduate school, where she spent a lot of her free time as a Special Olympics coach, volunteer at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, and President of the Health Professions Association at UCSB. Dr. Downey then spent two years as a Research Coordinator at Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA, managing clinical research studies for the retina department. She earned her Doctorate in Optometry from New England College of Optometry and is now doing her residency in cornea and contact lenses with Dr. David Kading at Specialty Eye. Dr. Downey’s number one goal during her exams is to get her patients to have healthy functioning eyes that provide them with the vision they need to live happy, productive lives.

Specialties:

-Specialty Contact lenses
-Dry eye treatment/management
-Myopia management

Dr. Downey is an avid hiker and snowboarder and has recently started road biking, so moving to Seattle has been a dream! If she is not at Specialty Eye, then you will likely find her outdoors.

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.

Maykayla was fortunate enough to be raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Washington State and has taken the lead in our downtown and Bellevue locations.

Professional career quick facts:

• Certified paraoptometric.
• Enjoys all of the patients she meets.
• Passionate about being part of a team that helps people with various visual and eye health needs.

Favorite hobbies include: hiking, camping, taking trips to the mountains, and many other outdoorsy things.

Emily grew up in Renton, Washington, and is attending Washington State University to complete her Bachelors of Biology. She plans to attend Pacific University School of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon. 

Enjoys: spending time with her family and trying out different foods. 

Annabel is from the Islands of Hawaii’. 

Professional career quick facts:

• Has an Associate of Technical Arts certificate in office supervision and management & a certificate in medical billing and coding.
• Has more than 25 years of experience in customer service and 10 years in the medical field.
• Has been working at Specialty Eye for 3 years and looks forward to meeting new people every day.

Annabel spends her free time with family and friends and enjoys being part of her church community. 

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.

Sue previously lived in Albuquerque NM prior to moving to the PNW. She has over 40 years of experience in customer service and making people feel happy.  She is a Certified Master Esthetician and is the Dry Eye/IPL technician here at SEG.  

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, hiking, and spending time with her daughter.

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.

Kaitlin was born and raised here in Seattle, Washington, and is proud to be called a Seattle Native.  Kaitlin joined the Specialty Eyecare team in 2022 and has brought 7 years of customer service to the team.  She previously worked as a Beauty Advisor at Ulta Beauty where she learned how to be an exceptional team player, take initiative, and quickly adapt to new situations.  Kaitlin is passionate about expanding her knowledge & understanding of the eyecare industry.  

In Kaitlin’s free time she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and dog, practicing yoga, and making beauty content.

Domenique was born and raised in the Seattle area and loves the incomparable greenery the Pacific Northwest has to offer. She is a hometown team sports fan! GO HAWKSMARINERSSOUNDERSKRACKIN!!! 

 Professional career quick facts:

• Joined Specialty Eye at the Mind’s Eye Center Fall of 2022
• Completed associates degree in Early Child Education
• Taught preschool for 3 years
• Has completed 2000 hours of Vision Therapy sessions, and studying for exams for certification from COVD for Vision Therapy

Domenique’s hobbies include spending time with her 1.5 years old twins, reading, spending lots of time outdoors exploring, and trying new foods.

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.

Margaret was born and raised in Port Washington, Wisconsin. She received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biology and Music Performance from Ripon College, with further education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She moved to Washington State in March of 2022 and has loved living here ever since. 

Outside of work, Margaret loves singing with the Seattle Symphony Chorale, playing piano, crocheting, and hiking in the mountains with her husband and their dog, Patrick.