Diagnosing Eye Disease
Many eye diseases won’t show noticeable symptoms until significant vision loss has already occurred. That’s why Specialty Eye takes a deep dive into your ocular health every time you visit our office.
Comprehensive eye exams include several noninvasive tests that will help your optometrist view the health of your eye. If they determine that you are at risk or are already developing an eye disease, a treatment or management plan can begin as quickly as possible, which can help preserve your sight.


The Specialty Eye Approach
When we examine your eyes, we’re examining the entire visual systeme. This means we want to know how well you see and that your eyes are healthy, inside and out.
We use several high-tech devices that provide us with the most in-depth view of your ocular structures possible. Many of these devices are incorporated into your comprehensive eye exam, but you may be asked to come in for additional tests if we detect any abnormalities in your results.
At Specialty Eye, we take your eye health seriously.

Common Issues
Some eye diseases and conditions are more common than others, and as we age, our risk of developing these issues increases. Although many eye diseases and conditions initially develop without noticeable symptoms, an eye exam can help detect them early on.
Read on to find out more about common eye diseases and conditions.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Increasingly common as we age, dry eye syndrome usually has 1 of 2 causes: your eyes either aren’t producing enough tears, or the tears they are producing are of poor quality, or both. Dry eyes are characterized by stinging, redness, and fatigued eyes. Sometimes, you may feel like there is grit or a foreign object in your eye, and your vision may become temporarily blurred.
Thankfully, Specialty Eye has innovative solutions and technology for treating mild to severe chronic and acute dry eyes. Learn more here.
Cataracts
You view the world through a crystalline lens in your eye. As we age, the structure of the lens breaks down causing it to become cloudy, called a cataract, which is characterized by blurry or foggy vision.
In the early stages, poor vision due to cataracts may be corrected with a change in prescription lenses. Eventually, you may require surgery to replace your lens with a new intraocular lens (IOL).
Glaucoma
Many forms of glaucoma are caused by increased pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma results from damage tof the optic nerve, affecting the outermost, peripheral vision first. There are no symptoms in the early stages until vision loss has already occurred.
The most common form is open-angle glaucoma. If glaucoma is left untreated, it can eventually affect the central vision resulting in blindness.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma is an eye emergency caused by a rapid increase in pressure in the eye. Please get in touch with us as quickly as possible, or visit your nearest emergency medical clinic after hours if you experience:
- Severe eye pain
- Nausea
- Redness in the eye
- Seeing halos or colored rings around lights
- Blurred vision
Diabetic Retinopathy
The longer someone has diabetes, the higher the risk is of developing diabetic retinopathy, one of the leading causes of preventable blindness. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye, swell and leak fluid and blood, caused by increased blood sugar levels.
Treatments are available for diabetic retinopathy, but vision loss can occur. The best way to prevent diabetic retinopathy is by maintaining a healthy blood sugar level and with routine comprehensive diabetic eye exams.
Diabetic Macular Edema
Just as diabetic retinopathy affects the blood vessels in the eye, diabetic macular edema occurs when those damaged blood vessels begin to swell and leak fluid and blood into the macula, the centremost part of the retina that is responsible for clear central vision.
Permanent vision loss may result from diabetic macular edema, but treatments may be available. The best prevention of diabetic-related eye conditions is maintaining a healthy blood sugar level and routine comprehensive diabetic eye exams.
Macular Degeneration
Your macula is the tiny part of your retina responsible for clear central vision. It helps you read, drive, and recognize faces clearly. Over time, the macula can deteriorate, resulting in macular degeneration.
There are 2 types of macular degeneration: dry (atrophic) and wet (exudative). Dry macular degeneration is caused by deterioration of the macula over time. Wet macular degeneration can cause rapid vision loss due to blood vessels that grow under the macula and leak. Preventative measures can be taken to help reduce vision loss due to macular degeneration, and wet macular degeneration can be treated to preserve remaining vision.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus occurs when the cornea (the frontmost part of your eye) thins and bulges, changing from normally rounded to cone-shaped. When this occurs, light entering the eyes doesn’t focus properly and can cause blurred vision.
Our corneal topographer and keratometer help diagnose keratoconus. Some treatments are available, and we can help you manage your keratoconus with the use of specialty contact lenses
Trusted Eye Disease Management
The experts at Specialty Eye are highly knowledgeable and have been helping the people of Seattle manage their eye diseases for many years.
Our top priority has always been maintaining the health of your eyes and vision, and it all starts with routine comprehensive eye exams. Talk to us and schedule your next appointment to help stay on top of your eye health and vision.
Our Locations
Bellevue
Steps away from beautiful Bellevue Square Mall, our office is conveniently located just off the I-405 on 106 Avenue NE.
- 225 106 Ave. NE
- Bellevue, WA 98004
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Kirkland
Next to the Evergreen Hospital, our convenient location is on NE 128 Street, just off the I-405.
- 11830 NE 128 St., Suite 1
- Kirkland, WA 98034
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Our Specialty Eye Care

See What People Say About Us
“All the associates here are wonderful! Everyone is thoughtful and accommodating. I have to use a walker and ever single person was patient and helpful in maneuvering me to be comfortable with doing certain test. In addition, my doctor is amazing!”
Andrea Norton
“The office is very informative. The Dr’s and staff are great and we look forward to starting our vision therapy!!”
Cori Brundage Frandsen
“My son has been going here since he was 1. We’ve never had a bad experience, and we’ve had a lot of visits because of his vision problems.”
Deanna Dooley Stanley
Our Expert Blog
What Are Toric Contact Lenses?
Specialty Contact LensesThe idea that those with astigmatism can’t wear contact lenses has long passed. With our expertise in specialty contact lenses, we can help patients with astigmatism see clearly without glasses. In some instances our patients had been previously told they were not able to wear contact lenses due to the shape of their eyes. However, […]
Can Keratoconus Be Cured Permanently?
KeratoconusYour cornea is the window into the eyes that allow you to take in the world around you. When your cornea is misshapen, too thin, or damaged, you may have keratoconus, compromising your vision and making it difficult to perceive your surroundings. At Specialty Eye, our specially trained doctors can detect and treat keratoconus using […]
Can Vision Therapy Cure Strabismus?
StrabismusStrabismus, also known as crossed eyes, is an ocular condition where your eyes don’t properly align. It can cause various visual problems, including double vision, reduced depth perception, and vision loss. Our vision therapy programs can be a valuable treatment to help correct your strabismus. Vision therapy provided by knowledgeable, experienced eye doctors can be […]
What Are Toric Contact Lenses?

The idea that those with astigmatism can’t wear contact lenses has long passed. With our expertise in specialty contact lenses, we can help patients with astigmatism see clearly without glasses. In some instances our patients had been previously told they were not able to wear contact lenses due to the shape of their eyes. However, […]
Can Keratoconus Be Cured Permanently?

Your cornea is the window into the eyes that allow you to take in the world around you. When your cornea is misshapen, too thin, or damaged, you may have keratoconus, compromising your vision and making it difficult to perceive your surroundings. At Specialty Eye, our specially trained doctors can detect and treat keratoconus using […]
Can Vision Therapy Cure Strabismus?

Strabismus, also known as crossed eyes, is an ocular condition where your eyes don’t properly align. It can cause various visual problems, including double vision, reduced depth perception, and vision loss. Our vision therapy programs can be a valuable treatment to help correct your strabismus. Vision therapy provided by knowledgeable, experienced eye doctors can be […]