New Title

At Community Eyecare Center, we've made it simple for patients throughout the Greater Waupaca, WI area to access the information they need. If you're a new patient or returning for care, our Patient Information Center offers resources to streamline your visit in Waupaca, WI.

The most common vision problems are called refractive errors, which occur when the shape of the eye prevents entering light from focusing directly on the back of the eye (retina). Typical causes of refractive errors include:

• The length of the eye (longer or shorter)
• The shape of the cornea (clear part of the eye, too steep or too flat)
• Aging of the eye's internal lens

There are various types of refractive errors, such as:

Myopia (nearsightedness): This is a condition where objects that are close to you appear clear, but distant objects appear blurry. With myopia, light comes to focus in front of the retina either because the eye is too long or the cornea is too steep, or both. Corrective lenses are required to push the image back into focus on the retina.

Hyperopia (farsightedness): This is a condition where distant objects may be seen more clearly than nearer objects. However, some people may not notice any problems with their vision, especially when they're young. Hyperopia may not present with symptoms until a patient reaches their mid 30's or later. For people with significant hyperopia, vision can be blurry for any distance, but always worse at near. Sometimes, if the hyperopia is high enough, a correction is needed to alleviate the strain.

Astigmatism: Contrary to popular belief, astigmatism is not a disease. It is merely a condition in which the eye does not focus light evenly on the retina. It can be caused by differing curvatures of the cornea or the eye's internal lens. Despite the cause, it can cause images to seem ghostly, doubled, or stretched out. The eye cannot compensate for this on its own, so a correction is needed for precise vision.

Presbyopia: This age-related condition is the steady decline in the ability of our natural lens to shift focus from distance viewing to viewing something up close. When we are young, our lens can flex to allow a quick shift in focusing at any distance. As we age, the flexing diminishes as the lens stiffens, which makes it hard to focus on near objects; especially small or detailed objects.

Contact Community Eyecare Center  in Waupaca, WI today to schedule an eye exam appointment with our experienced optometrists!

If you're scheduling a routine exam or addressing a specific concern, knowing what to expect makes all the difference. Common eye health problems treated at Community Eyecare Center include:

Amblyopia: The medical term used when the vision in one eye is reduced because the eye and the brain are not working together properly. The eye itself looks normal, but it is not being used normally because the brain is favoring the other eye. This condition is frequently referred to as 'lazy eye'. It can be caused by the two eyes being misaligned and the brain ignoring the eye that turns, or by a large difference in prescription between the two eyes, where the brain ignores the blurrier of the two eyes.

Blepharitis: This condition is an inflammation of the eyelids and lashes that causes red, irritated, itchy eyelids and can be hard to manage as it tends to be chronic. Complications include a stye (red, tender / painful bump) on the lid caused by an acute infection of the oil glands of the eyelid. A chalazion can follow the development of a stye and is usually a painless, firm lump caused by the chronic inflammation of the eyelid's oil glands.

Cataract: A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s normally clear natural lens, most often caused by aging. While common in people over 60, cataracts can also develop due to diabetes, steroid use, eye surgery, or eye injury. Symptoms may include blurry vision, faded colors, and increased glare from lights. Early symptoms can sometimes be managed with updated glasses or improved lighting, but surgery is the only effective treatment when vision problems become significant. Surgery involves replacing the cloudy lens with a clear artificial lens, followed by several weeks of medicated eye drops.

Conjunctivitis: Also known as “pink eye,” conjunctivitis is a generic term for a group of diseases that cause swelling and redness of the conjunctiva, the thin protective membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and the sclera, or white of the eye. It can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, allergy, inflammatory conditions, or some eye medications.

Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetic retinopathy is a common diabetes-related eye disease caused by damage to the retina’s blood vessels. High blood sugar can cause these vessels to leak fluid or blood, or trigger the growth of fragile new vessels that may bleed and lead to vision loss. Early stages often have no symptoms, making annual eye exams essential for people with diabetes. Treatment may include laser procedures or injectable medications to reduce leakage and slow abnormal blood vessel growth.

Dry Eye: Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. Common symptoms include burning, irritation, a gritty sensation, and excessive tearing. Dry eye is more common in women, especially after menopause, and in patients taking certain medications, or with health issues like rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome. Treatment options vary depending on the cause and severity of symptoms.

Floaters: Floaters are small spots or thread-like shapes that drift across your vision. They are usually a normal part of aging as the gel inside the eye (vitreous) changes over time. However, a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a loss of side vision may signal a retinal tear or detachment, which requires immediate medical attention.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and can lead to permanent vision loss. Although often linked to elevated eye pressure, glaucoma can occur even when eye pressure is normal. Because glaucoma usually has no symptoms in its early stages, regular eye exams are essential for early detection. While there is no cure, treatments such as medicated eye drops or surgery can help slow or prevent further vision loss.

Macular Degeneration (AMD): Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over 50. It affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision, making activities like reading, driving, and recognizing faces more difficult. Risk factors include age, smoking, family history, and race. While AMD cannot always be prevented, healthy habits such as avoiding smoking, exercising regularly, and eating a diet rich in leafy greens and fish may help reduce the risk. Treatment options depend on the type and severity of the condition.

Vitreous Detachment (PVD): A vitreous detachment occurs when the gel inside the eye naturally shrinks and separates from the retina, a common age-related change, especially after age 50. This often causes new floaters but usually does not threaten vision or require treatment. In some cases, the shrinking vitreous can pull on the retina and cause a tear or detachment. Because these conditions can lead to vision loss, a dilated eye exam is important to diagnose a PVD and check for complications.

Community Eyecare Center has been serving the Greater Waupaca, WI area for over three decades. As a locally owned and operated, family-focused practice, we're committed to providing accessible care you can count on. Here's what sets us apart:  

• Over 30 years of trusted service
• Family-owned practice that puts patients first
• Welcoming new patients every day
• Advanced in-office diagnostic imaging
• Emergency eye care with triage services
• Convenient walk-in appointments accepted
• Flexible financing with CareCredit

When you choose us, you're choosing a practice that treats you like family. We'll take the time to address your concerns, answer your questions, and provide the personalized care you deserve.

Ready to experience compassionate, comprehensive eye care in Waupaca, WI? Our Patient Information Center has the resources you need to get started. If you're a new patient or you've been with us for years, we're here to help. We're currently accepting new patients and offer same-day appointments for urgent concerns. Contact us today to schedule your visit or to learn more about our services.