Six-Year Study Confirms Long-Term Benefits of Stellest Lenses for Managing Childhood Myopia

As parents, we all want to do what’s best for our children—especially when it comes to protecting their vision. With myopia (nearsightedness) on the rise, it's more important than ever to consider effective ways to manage this condition early. One exciting development in myopia control is the Essilor Stellest lens, and a newly released six-year clinical study offers strong evidence that this innovative lens continues to work long-term.

The study began in 2018 and followed children between the ages of 8 and 13 as they wore Stellest lenses. Over the course of six years, researchers tracked their eye growth and changes in prescription compared to a modeled control group wearing regular single-vision lenses. The results were impressive: Stellest lens wearers showed 57% less myopia progression and 52% less axial eye growth. Even more encouraging, the risk of developing high myopia (a prescription worse than -6.00) dropped from 38% in the control group to just 9% for those wearing Stellest lenses.

So, how do Stellest lenses work? These lenses use a special technology called HALT (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target), which incorporates over a thousand tiny lenslets arranged in rings on the lens surface. This design creates a gentle signal in front of the retina that tells the eye to slow down its growth—a key factor in controlling myopia progression. The central part of the lens still provides clear vision, so children can see well while benefiting from this unique treatment.

One of the most important findings from the study is that consistent wear is crucial. Children need to wear the lenses for at least 12 hours a day to get the full benefit. Thankfully, the study also confirmed that Stellest lenses are well-tolerated—children found them comfortable, easy to wear, and comparable to standard glasses.

For parents looking for a safe, non-invasive, and clinically proven way to manage their child’s myopia, Stellest lenses are a very promising option. By slowing the progression of nearsightedness, we can reduce the risk of future vision problems like retinal detachment, glaucoma, or macular degeneration that are more common in highly myopic eyes.

If you have questions or want to learn more about whether Stellest lenses are right for your child, reach out to your local Myopia Control Optometrist.

Early intervention can make a lasting difference in your child’s visual health and quality of life.