Seeing clearly in Tamarindo: a guide to your options at Ojos Del Mar

Living in Guanacaste means bright light, saltwater, sand, and a lifestyle that doesn't slow down for glasses. Whether you're an expat who's been managing with an outdated prescription, a parent watching your child's vision get worse each year, or someone who's never found contacts that actually fit comfortably — there are more options available to you here than most people realize.

At Ojos Del Mar, we're a specialty eye care clinic and eyewear gallery based in Tamarindo. Here's what that actually means for your care.

Comprehensive eye exams

Everything starts here. A thorough exam goes well beyond reading letters off a chart — we assess the full health of your eyes, not just your prescription. For residents and visitors alike, we recommend annual exams, particularly given the UV exposure that comes with living in the tropics. Book an exam.

Specialty and custom contact lenses

Standard contacts don't work for everyone. If you have irregular corneas, keratoconus, high astigmatism, or have tried soft lenses that never quite felt right, specialty lenses — including scleral lenses — are often the answer. They vault over the cornea entirely, creating a smooth optical surface and a level of comfort and clarity that off-the-shelf lenses can't match.

We fit a full range of specialty lenses tailored to your eyes' exact measurements. Learn more about our contact lens services.

Ortho-K: freedom from glasses during the day, and a tool to slow myopia in children

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is one of the most underutilized tools in eye care — particularly for kids. The concept is straightforward: specially designed, gas-permeable lenses are worn overnight. While sleeping, they gently reshape the cornea. By morning, the lenses come out, and clear, unaided vision lasts throughout the day.

For active kids in Tamarindo — in the ocean, on the football pitch, in the classroom — not needing glasses or contacts during the day is a genuine quality-of-life change.

But the bigger story is myopia control. Children's prescriptions tend to get stronger year over year, and that progression carries long-term risks — including higher rates of retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration in adulthood. Clinical evidence consistently shows that Ortho-K significantly slows myopia progression in qualifying pediatric patients, in some cases by more than 50% compared to standard correction.

Good candidates are typically children aged 6–18 with mild to moderate myopia whose prescription has been changing, who are motivated to follow a nightly routine, and whose eyes are otherwise healthy. A comprehensive exam and corneal mapping determine fit — it's not one-size-fits-all.‍

Message us on WhatsApp to learn more about whether Ortho-K or book a consultation to find out if your child qualifies.

Luxury eyewear

For those who do wear glasses — whether full-time or as a backup — our gallery carries a curated selection of independent and luxury frames you won't find at a standard optical shop. Our team can match frames to your face and lifestyle, and we handle the full lens prescription in-house.

Where to find us

We're located in Tamarindo, Guanacaste. To schedule an exam or a specialty lens consultation, visit ojosdelmar.com/schedule or contact us directly.

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