Costa Rica

Study populations

Costa Rica, in 2016, had an estimated population of 4.8m with 22% under the age of 15 years and only 9% aged 65 years and over. By 2050, this subpopulation is expected to almost double to 24% (1.3m) of the population while those 0–14 years of age will only make up about 19% of the population.

Alongside the ageing population, the prevalence of people with diabetes appears to be increasing with the most recent statistics reporting 278,900 people living with diabetes and an estimated 111,700 undiagnosed cases.

Report & Infographic

Cover page for Costa Rica Study Report. For accessible PDF version of full report click the image.

Info-graphic containing overview of findings. For an accessible PDF please click the image.

Availability of DR patient education materials in health care providers offices

0% Sufficient information available, 10% Information not sufficient, 30% No written information available, 0% Don’t know

(All providers n=10)

Sufficient information available Information not sufficient No written information available Don’t know

Percentage of adults with diabetes who completed an eye exam

58.3% Have had an eye exam, 41.7% Never had an eye exam

(Opthamologists n=72)

Have had an eye exam
Never had an eye exam

Complications adults with diabetes were most concerned about

42.5% Vision loss, 39.7% Amputation, 5.5% Neuropathy, 2.7% Kidney disease

(Adults with diabetes n=73)

Vision loss Amputation
Neuropathy
Kidney disease

Frequency of discussions about eye complications with health care providers

42.5% Every visit, 17.8% Multiple times per year, 12.3% Once a year, 23.3% When symptoms arise, 4.1% Never

(Adults with diabetes n=73)

Every visit Multiple times per year Once a year When symptoms arise Never

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The DR Barometer Community is a growing multidisciplinary network of thought leaders and organizations who are working together to address gaps in diabetes patient care. Join today to help improve vision health outcomes among people living with diabetes.