Specialty Eyecare Group

The worst eyecare or clinic ever dealt with (Kirkland location at least). No one ever lift phone, or call backs or follow up for appointments. There are more chances of winning a lotto than getting someone on the phone. Other than spam email there is no communication of any type. Initially it was not very bad. At least after several calls you may get a chance to receive a call back. It is now worst. If I have to move to different clinic I need to pay for all tests again and pay from pocket.
Please avoid this clinic like a plague.

Absolutely atrocious customer service. My infant was prescribed glasses and we were told the early intervention is terrific as she is in the formative stage of developing depth perception. Despite being told glasses would arrive in 5 – 7 days, it is now nearly 1 MONTH later and no glasses! Although they refunded us our out-​of-​pocket expenses, they completely missed the boat. It’s not about the money, it’s about my daughter’s care and the unnecessary frustration of having to follow up repeatedly for their mistakes. Horrible experience … The client shouldn’t be working more than the service agency to receive the product promised.

We’ve been taking our daughter to see Dr. Kristi & staff for over 4 years now; and have recently just added our other daughter as well. We are always appreciative for the care and attention they have for their clients. We always like to have a rapport with all of our doctors, so the turnover rate due to intern, etc. is a bit of a bummer, but not a huge deal by any means. Dr. Kristi is extremely down to earth and personal, which definitely helps with our young daughter’s «comfort factor».
I have seen some complaints from others about the numerous interns/​students, higher prices, and sales pitches for hardware. **Newsflash** You HAVE to be an intern somewhere in order to graduate college — it just so happens that this place allows internships. If you want an experience that resembles Walmart, then folks should probably start taking their business there instead. Although much higher than Walmart, the cost for the eye doc that I personally visit was no different in price than Specialty Eye Care. Stop whining about it — all you need to do is ask for the prescription and buy your hardware somewhere else (like we do). We have recommended two other families whose kids had similar eye issues as ours, and they are both extremely satisfied. In spite of a price difference, we feel that we cannot get the attention and guidance that we normally would elsewhere.
No one is perfect, and we have seen MAYBE a couple imperfections/​oversights over the past 4+ years. The Kading’s are always on top of the latest technology and information regarding eyecare. If you just want a standard annual, cheap, fast-​food type visit with no intention of long-​term needs, then maybe Walmart or Costco is your best bet… or if cost is your only concern.
This place has been a HUGE blessing and help to our family for years. If you are looking for «specialty» eye help (like we are/​were), then I would definitely recommend Dr. Kristi and Specialty Eyecare Group.

I would not recommend going to Specialty Eye Care. I have been going to this clinic for several years. I always felt there was something odd about the place, but continued to go. Was it the unwelcoming front staff? The lack of a waiting room/​privacy when talking to one of the techs? The constant stream of students working in the clinic? The lack of children’s amentities for having a pediatric optometrist on staff? The locked doors at the first appointment time leaving you outside in the hall with nowhere to go?
Maybe a little of all of those, but I think most it is their billing and fees. I always felt gouged everytime I went there. For the prices they charge for the optomap scan to the fees for contact lens fittings that should be part of the price of getting the right fit to the actual fees they charge for lenses. Even with decent insurance, the costs are high. I just didn’t know how high until I finally left this practice and went to a new place that has upfront fees, comprehensive fees that cover multiple fittings, friendly staff, great hours, and more technologically advanced equipment. Oh and the prescription that Specialty Eye Care sent over to my new optometry practice? It was incorrect in that it didn’t adjust for my severe astigmatism.

I highly recommend Dr. Kristi Kading for baby & toddler eyecare. She’s amazing with kids and does a fabulous job explaining issues to parents too. We’ve also done vision therapy here and had good luck with it. Oh, and they NEVER screw up billing which is icing on the cake.

I would hesitate to recommend them.

I would caution people from coming here for several reasons. First off, they let the intern do the eye exam on me! I’m not just talking about the automated glaucoma, peripheral vision test and eye scans, I’m talking about the actual eye exam. NOT OKAY! They must double book their doctors because I was only seen by Dr. Dave for less than 5 minutes — and he just checked the intern’s work. I mean, it can be pretty expensive to see an eye doctor in the first place and I feel like if I’m paying good money I want to be seen by a licensed professional.
Second, Specialty Eyecare Group is super expensive. I never felt like they do not put the customer first as far as trying to get the best pricing and are always trying to push people to buy the most expensive products.
Steer clear of this place!

this office requirese an eye scan that is not covered by most insurance policies. I do not recommend unless you do not mind paying out of pocket tests you probably dont really need.

I’ve been to the Kirkland location three times in the last 2 years.
I have always been treated in a friendly, professional way, and have been happy with the lenses and frames I purchased.
There feels like a little more sales pressure (frames, specialty lens grinds, contacts) than I like, which is the difference between 4 and 5 stars.

THE ABSOLUTE WORST EYE CARE EXPERIENCE I HAVE HAD IN 26 YEARS. I have been wearing lenses most of my life and this is without a doubt the worst experience I have ever had. They do not tell you that the retina scans are not covered by insurance, but I have done this for enough years to know that. However, I had my appointment many months ago and have been consistently sent the wrong lenses– 3 TIMES IN A ROW after having two bad prescriptions. Every time I call no one knows why I am upset and yet I can bring in 3 sets of exactly the same misordered contact lenses. I have spent months with headaches because of their constant incompetence. The whole place feels very unprofessional and incompetent. The first prescription I had was horrible, so was the second. I went in to get contacts and in order to try to sell me glasses also they took my glasses away and put my «prescription» into their lenses and told me to read the letters on the wall. They were completely blurry and I couldn’t read them and they said «well, we can’t let you have glasses that aren’t even safe to drive in» I demanded my glasses back and could read the letters perfectly. It was so dishonest and scaly and I wish I had walked out right then. I didn’t and am now stuck with paying out of pocket for another eye doctor since I can’t seem to get my lenses or a decent prescription from this one. I also believe that they would be horrific to take children to, and I know this is one of their practice areas. I would hate to take my son to someone dishonest who was going to sell me rounds of vision therapy. Incompetent, dishonest, unprofessional– go elsewhere.

Im glad others have had good experiences here, unfortunately mine weren’t. I’m thinking that maybe it was because I went just after Dr. Kristi had the new baby and Dr. Dave was distracted — but there were other problems.
I dont like having my initial history and exam done by some sort of very young technician. Most of the time is spent with her, and she writes tons of information into their electronic medical record. When Dr. Dave finally comes in, he skims over all the information, misses half of it, and doesn’t even realize the kind of specialty contact lens I need in one eye. I have to repeat all the information I told the technician. This may be efficient for his time, but not for mine.
He tries to sell me glasses, when i specifically came for contact lenses. I specifically came to this practice because they state they specialize in hard to fit contacts. So why did I keep being reminded that I needed a hard to fit lens?
Then the issues with getting the lens in… on the first order, they didn’t put the order in, so the lens didnt come in when it was supposed to. No one called me… when I finally called and asked where the lens was they realized they had not put in the order.
On two other occasions they got the lens in and never called or emailed me. They gave me a $ 5 Starbucks to make up for all the screw ups.
Worst of all, after all this gnashing of teeth over how hard it was to find a lens for me (I’ve been wearing contact lenses for 40 years, every other doctor has figured it out), I have a horrible pair of very expensive contact lenses that I dont help me see very well. I have blurred & double vision after a few hours of wearing these lenses. I actually prefer to wear my glasses for the first time in my life. Im not going back. I am eligible for another exam in a couple of months… I’ll wait it out and find another practice.

I used a Living Social deal for contacts, and thought I’d get new glasses assuming they had something I liked at a competitive price.
Both women at the front counter were exceptionally professional, helpful and friendly. When I came in to pick up my contacts and it looked like they hadn’t arrived yet, the woman who lives in my town said that she’d be able to bring them home and meet me somewhere near home. That’s incredible service.
On the other hand…
The woman who «helped» me look for frames seemed completely uninterested and unknowledgeable. She glanced at my old glasses and asked if I wanted something similar. I said that the frame style would work, but was also interested in a rugged titanium frame (I’ve had good luck with Flexon). She pulled out the only Flexon frame in stock, which was completely inappropriate for my face and the look I wanted. She then pulled out a couple of frames that were supposedly titanium (I inadvertently bent one completely) or of a random style.
She didn’t look at my face, didn’t ask what I was after (beyond «do you want something like what you have») didn’t talk to me about options or things to think about…
I’ve always bought glasses from specialty shops like this because I don’t trust the Costcos or Pearl Vision Centers of the world.
I can get contacts anywhere. I certainly won’t be getting frames at Specialty Eyecare Group.

My 4yo has been seeing Dr. Kristi for a year now and we couldn’t be happier. She is great with children and always takes time to thoroughly discuss and explain everything to me.
He has been in their vision therapy program for about 6 months now and it has done wonders. Their vision therapist is amazing — I am stunned at how well she can work with my somewhat distracted son.
The staff is super friendly and great as well. We are there every week and they are all fabulous.

Specialty Eyecare Group is a great place to go and your eyes evaluated. Dr. Kading has a great practice and does a fabulous job explaining what he is looking for and make you feel at ease. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. They also have a great selection of glasses and wonderful area for kids to play. I definitely recommend any one to Dr. Kading and Specialty Eyecare Group.

Our family sees Dr. David Kading and have been impressed with his knowledge. He’s been able to help us with both our contacts and glasses. Dr. Kading listens to any issues you have and is up to date on the latest technology and products so he’s able to offer you the best solution options. All the equipment in the office to test your eyes is digital and we love not having to get our eyes dilated! Plus we feel like we’re getting the best exam possible with all the up to date technology the office has to offer. The office staff is very friendly and takes the time to get to know you. There is a great selection of glasses for adults and children! Our twins loved the child play area as they waited for us parents to get our eyes checked. We highly recomend this eyecare group!

I’ve been taking my son to see Dr. Kristi Kading since he was just over 6 – 7 months old. She’s very well-​known in pediatric eye care. I love that she’s so good with the little ones, so patient and knowledgeable. Dr. Kading also participates in the InfantSEE program (
); I have since referred two of my mommy friends to bring their babies to see her. I just wish they take our vision insurance so I can see Dr. Kading, too.

This is the first eyecare place I have ever enjoyed going to, let alone written a review for them.
The experience was by far my best ever and the entire team is extremely professional and enjoyable to work with. The office is clean, organized and offers all of the latest technology you should expect to see at your eye doctors’.
Dr. Dave is a leading expert on contact lenses and understands what it means to wear contacts and glasses. He understands what is available in the market place and can provide the best recommendation for you based on your lens wearing needs. He is also atuned to changes in technology in the lens world to bring you the best the world has to offer in this area. He changed my lenses from a brand I have been wearing for years and I couldn’t be happier. Plus, his staff kept me in the loop on all the rebates available so I could get the best deal possible since I was paying out of pocket.
Dr. Kristi is an amazing lady who is also an expert at children and pediatric vision health. She does therapy and also does educational classes at the hospital for infant and pediatric eye health. I wouldn’t want to take my kids anyplace else with all that expertise in a single office.
One of my favorite things about this place is the fact that the docs really want to be a partner in your eye health. They aren’t concerned with lecturing you and aren’t condescending as with many of my past eye doctors. They listen to you and really work to understand your vision needs. They are more concerned with finding something that works for you and within your budget which was really important to me.
As for the optical, I think this was some of the most fun! Their optician knows her stuff and was infinitely patient as I tried on almost every pair in the place. They have a vast selection frames in all the latest styles and the brands you want. They have all different price points as well so they seek to serve everyone that comes into their office.
I really enjoy going to these doctors and I even drive two hours each way to do it so I am extremely pleased with the service. I highly recommend them to anyone searching for a new eye doctor.
Hope this helps everyone!

I love these guys. The first thing I noticed is that they are so friendly and personal. They really got to know me well as a person and it’s one of the only doctor’s offices I actually enjoy going to. Dr. Dave and the gang have really outgoing personalities… there’s always lots of laughter in the office which is so uplifting.
They do contact lens studies which is way fun and you get paid. Plus you get to go into the office to see them more which of course I like :).
They also have a retina scan (name?) so that you don’t have to dilate. Very nice for someone who doesn’t want to wear the goofy sunglasses all day! Like me!
I highly recommend this office for all your vision care needs. They make it fun to get your eye poked and prodded, which is really saying something in my opinion. They also have a great glasses selection.