www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I just got a new prescription (here in U.S.) for reading and distance glasses. Seems like every time I get new glasses done here I wind up spending $500 to $600. I admit I do like to indulge in designer frames, Persol etc. and the lenses themselves aren't cheap either.

Since I'm coming done to CR Imthought Id check to see whether getting prescription glasses filled in CR is materially less expensive or not. Comments appreciated.

My glasses up here are about the same price range $5-600, however I have bought glasses in San Jose previously. Exam, frames, tri focals, transitions $ 100. Took 3 weeks, so I had a favorita mail them to the States. The exam was $3

The exams are 90% cheaper. In the US, an eye exam for glasses costs $50-75. In CR, it's 3,000¢ (about $6). A contact lens exam is $100 (or more) in the US, it's 5,000¢ ($10) in CR.

As for glasses, if you want designer frames, you will pay a premium in CR as well, but overall, I would say that they will be cheaper, but I don't know if it's worth it since any kind of warranty repair would need to be done out of CR, if that's even included. I used to get glasses for my step daughters when they lived in CR for like $40-50 but those are the plastic ones.

Opticas Vision (big chain all over CR) has specials all the time. http://www.opticasvision.co.cr/

I know contact lenses are more expensive in CR.

Do the "numbers" of the prescription work the same in CR as in US. I.e. will a CR opthamatrist understand a US written prescription?

Any recommendation and where to fine good designer frames?

Yes, the numbers are all compatible.

Try Opticas Vision, it's the biggest chain they have a good selection. I added the link in my post above.

t

I saved a fortune last time by using my same frames I had. The perscription had changed but with the same frames I got 2 pair of reading and one tri-focal for about $135.00. Ready in 24 hours since you have the frames.

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I am NOT a Cien Boy!!

http://www.zennioptical.com/

Never had a problem with these. Not in CR. But very cheap shipped to US. Wide variety of frames.

TANSTAAFL

Try ASEMBIS IN SJ.

It's a chain of medical providers, including several medical specialties.

They have a clinic on Avenida Central, at the corner of Calle 1 or Calle 3. The eye shop is on the ground floor. The other medical specialties are on the second floor. No appointment is necessary...... just take a number.

A refraction, with a new prescription, costs 3,000 (about $6). Frames and lenses are not too expensive, depending on how "pretty" you need to look. I believe that they will make lenses based on a U.S. prescription. The prescription formats are the same in CR and in the States.

Agree with Rac on Asembis. I went to their Heredia office in 2008 and got a full exam and glasses for about 30,000 colones. Was very satisfied with the service and the quality of the frames/lenses.

Here in the states America's Best is the way to go.

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Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?

There is also a large ASEMBIS 2 blocks north of Hospital Caldaron Guardia (about 4 blocks east/northeast of the SL). Several years ago I went there based on recommendations from fellow CRT members. During the exam he found I had cataracts and immediately sent me to their specialist. Had surgery on both eyes (one at a time) for about 10% of what it would have cost in the states. I had guys question the wisdom of having it done here but I figured if Dr. Moro, having done over 2000 cataract surgeries in the 2 years just prior to mine, didn't know what he was doing, no one would!! Each surgery took about 15 minutes and did not have to wear glasses for a while afterwards. As I aged, like most, my eye sight deteriorated and I found myself back wearing glasses. And sadly the cataracts have formed again in my left eye--am going to have to have it done again on that eye.

Long story short-- I would highly recommend ASEMBIS!! Much cheaper, good, qualified Dr.s, good facilities, and good service.

Not too sure about their dental thou. I sure did hear a lot of sounds of pain more than once when I was there (waiting area was next to the dental area!!).

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

You can't get cataracts twice in the same eye.

The typical cataract operation removes the cloudy, natural lens that is behind the pupil . . . and replaces the cloudy lens with a clear, plastic implant. The cloudy, natural lens is called a cataract. Since it has been removed, you cannot get a cataract again.

What MAY happen after a cataract operation is that the plastic implant gets coated with a film - - so it is not as clear as when new. The "fix" for the film is a laser aimed into the eye to burn the film away. The procedure is called a capsulotomy. It takes a few seconds and is painless.

Unless they are off by a millimeter or two.

Well I guess I should have know better than to think that there would not be an "Ophthalmologist" in the house just waiting for a chance to correct my comment . Should not have tried to over simplify my comments!! That combined with my "medical" Spanish not being that good!!

Yes, cataracts are more or less a build up of a film on the "natural" lens. So I guess RAC is correct in that you cannot get them again since the "natural" lens is no longer there. BUT!! from what I interpreted Dr. Moro to have said was that a "film" had developed on the new "artificial" lens. Sounds like about the same thing to this old fart!! Therefore for simplicity here I referred to it as "the cataract had reformed". He (Dr. Moro) did say something about laser to correct the problem. But (and this is where I may not have understood him correctly) I thought he said something about there being a chance he would have to replace the artificial lens that is there now.

Sorry if I upset anyone else with my not being MEDICALLY CORRECT!!! But I was a "PLANT Dr." not a medical Dr.

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

I though you were a barber