Getting settled in Costa Rica means sorting out healthcare. Eye care is one of the things that often gets pushed to the bottom of the list — until a prescription runs out, glasses break, or something starts bothering an eye that shouldn't be ignored.

Here's what you actually need to know, based on what we hear from expats when they first walk through our door.

The UV environment is different here

Guanacaste sits close to the equator, and the UV index on a clear day regularly reaches 11 or higher — well into the extreme range. This matters for your eyes in ways that go beyond sunburn. UV exposure at this level accelerates the development of cataracts, drives conditions like pterygium (surfer's eye), and increases long-term risk of macular degeneration.

If you're used to managing sun exposure with the same approach you had in the US, Canada, or Europe, it's worth recalibrating. Quality sunglasses with UV400 protection aren't optional here — they're a daily health decision.

Transferring your prescription

We can work from any valid, legible prescription regardless of who wrote it and where. If you've brought glasses or contacts from home, we can also auto-refract your existing lenses to extract a working prescription if the paperwork has been lost. The one caveat: if your prescription is more than 12–18 months old, a fresh exam gives you a more accurate baseline and catches any changes.

What to bring to your first exam

If you have it: current glasses or contacts, your most recent prescription, and any records of prior eye conditions or surgeries. If you don't have it: don't worry — we'll work with what we have. A comprehensive exam covers everything we need to get started.

English-language care

Both our clinic director and on-site physician communicate in English. Every appointment is conducted in the language you're comfortable with. There's no language barrier to navigate.

Same-day glasses and contact lenses

We have an on-site Lens Lab and carry a broad in-stock inventory of lenses. For the majority of single-vision prescriptions — and many progressive prescriptions — same-day or next-day glasses are genuinely available. For contact lenses, we carry common stock brands and can order specialty lenses quickly. Visit our eyewear gallery or Lens Lab pages for more detail.

Establishing ongoing care

Annual eye exams are the same recommendation here as anywhere — and more important given the UV environment. The Clarity Club offers 50% off annual exams for members, which makes staying current with your eye health significantly more affordable.

Book your first exam or message us on WhatsApp with any questions before coming in.