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The story: Ocularist Kim Erickson creates custom artificial eyes for people who have lost an eye to disease or injury.
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Kim Erickson is an artist. Anyone who sees his work would not doubt that for an instant. But his pieces don't hang in museums. In fact, his masterpieces go unnoticed by all but their owners. Erickson, like his father before him, handcrafts plastic prosthetic eyes from his office in downtown Spokane. "My best work is invisible," he says.

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When I was a little girl I could never believe that my uncle Jerry was blind. He lost his sight from a mine accident caused by dynamite. He was really good at guessing what color of dress a young girl was wearing. And his eyes looked so real! That's because they were made by Kim Erickson and/or his father.

But I didn't know that until my little boy was born with a cataract and eventually needed his eye replaced. I met Kim and learned that he knew my uncle. I also learned that there is a reason that this man was referred to me and it wasn't because of location. He is very good at what he does and people come from all over to see him. I would never ever go to anyone else because his work is beautiful and he is the very BEST!

My son, now 21, looks gorgeous because of his prosthesis and if you didn't know about his eye before you probably could never tell.

There are not alot of ocularist out there, but we are so blessed to have the very best right here!

My daughter had her first artificial eye made by Kim when she was 11 and he has made others for her during the years. He is truly a craftsman. This area is so lucky to have him here.

I've worn an ocular prosthesis for 29 years now. My first Ocularist was Marsha Guibor (NYC). She was, like Kim Erickson, a gifted artist and created the most beautiful irises. Alas, she left the profession several years ago. I have since been with Mager and Gugelman, specifically David Gugelman. They do a great job of construction and fitting, and are wonderful people to work with. David is a fine and wonderful ocularist. However, they have no artists on staff. My first prosthesis from them was a great visual disappointment compared to what Marsha had provided me. Perhaps someday I'll have the time and energy to get to Kim's office for something more aesthetically pleasing.