How Essilor Stellest Lenses Help Slow Myopia Progression in Children

Myopia is one of the fastest-growing eye health concerns in children worldwide. Children with progressing myopia often require stronger prescriptions year after year, and higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risk of long-term eye health issues, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and maculopathy. Fortunately, advances in vision science have introduced new ways to slow myopia progression - and one of the most promising of these is the Essilor Stellest® lens.

What Are Essilor Stellest Lenses?

Essilor Stellest lenses are a specially designed spectacle lens for children that not only correct distance vision but also actively help slow the progression of myopia. In September 2025, these lenses became the first spectacle lenses authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that are clinically proven to slow childhood myopia progression.

How Stellest Works: H.A.L.T. Technology

At the heart of the Stellest design is H.A.L.T. technology - Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target.

Here’s how it helps slow myopia progression:

• Clear central vision: Stellest lenses provide a traditional single-vision zone in the center for sharp distance sight.
• Peripheral lenslets: Surrounding that central zone are 1,021 tiny, highly aspherical lenslets arranged in concentric rings.
• Optical signal: These lenslets create a volume of non-focused light in front of the retina (called myopic defocus). This visual signal is thought to cue the eye to slow its axial elongation - the physical growth of the eye that drives myopia progression.
• Comfort and usability: Because the central vision remains clear and the lenses look like regular glasses, children typically adapt well and can wear them all day comfortably, which is key for maximizing effectiveness.

Clinical Data: Proven Efficacy

Essilor Stellest lenses aren’t just innovative - they’re backed by strong clinical evidence and years of research:

Two-Year Clinical Results

• A key clinical trial showed that children wearing Stellest lenses had up to a 71% reduction in myopia progression compared to kids wearing standard single-vision lenses.
• The same study demonstrated a 53% reduction in axial eye growth, a critical factor in long-term myopia severity. These results helped support the FDA’s decision to authorize Stellest lenses for myopia management in children.
• Long-Term Real-World Data
• Extended follow-ups and studies over 5-6 years show sustained myopia control with Stellest lenses, with over 50% slowing of axial elongation and nearly 2.00 diopters less myopia progression on average compared to control groups.

Ease of Use for Children

Because Stellest lenses are worn like everyday glasses and are compatible with daily routines (school, play, and screen time), adherence among children tends to be high -  especially when compared with options that require contact lens hygiene or eye drops. Clear optics contribute to comfort and confidence throughout the day.

Vision One Eyecare’s Experience With Stellest

At Vision One Eyecare, we began implementing Essilor Stellest lenses in Katy since November 2025, and the results have been very encouraging. Families appreciate that Stellest offers an evidence-based, comfortable, and easy-to-integrate solution to help slow myopia progression in children. Our eye doctors continue to monitor outcomes and support families through personalized myopia management plans.

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today

Myopia is a progressive condition that can impact a child’s eye health long term. Essilor Stellest lenses represent a groundbreaking, clinically validated tool in the fight against myopia progression. With H.A.L.T. technology, real-world evidence of effectiveness, and now U.S. availability, these lenses give parents and eye care providers a powerful way to help protect children’s vision.

If your child has myopia, schedule a pediatric eye exam at Vision One Eyecare to discover if Essilor Stellest lenses are right for you child. Visit our office in Katy, Texas or call (281) 395-2010 to book an appointment today.