Ensuring your child’s vision is protected and developing well is a high priority for many families in Costa Mesa, and staying informed about the latest FDA-cleared innovations is key. The Essilor® Stellest® spectacle lens represents a significant step forward in addressing childhood myopia, especially for children who are not yet ready for contacts or atropine therapy. This guide will help you understand how Stellest® works, its benefits, and why local leadership from eye doctors such as Dr. Thanh Mai at Insight Vision Center Optometry matters.
Understanding Stellest® Lenses: A Major Leap in Myopia Management
Stellest® is the first spectacle lens specifically designed and FDA-cleared to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 6 to 12. Unlike regular single-vision glasses, Stellest® does more than correct blurry distance vision—it uses Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target (HALT) technology to change how the eye grows. By combining over 1,000 tiny lenslets arranged in 11 rings around a clear central zone, Stellest® sends a signal to the child’s eye to stabilize its growth rate, which reduces worsening myopia.
Clinical studies, including five-year follow-up data, confirm Stellest® can slow down myopia progression by at least 50% compared to standard lenses—meaning kids have both clearer vision now and a significantly lowered risk of developing high myopia eventually.
Why Stellest® May Be the Right Choice for Your Child
For parents in Costa Mesa, finding a solution that works for their kids’ busy lives is crucial. Stellest® offers the same comfort and ease as traditional glasses while delivering long-term vision protection. Stellest® lenses:
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Provide clear, comfortable vision with a high adaptation rate; almost all children adapt in less than a week.
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Are made from lightweight, durable polycarbonate, making them ideal for active kids.
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Come standard with anti-reflective coating, and as of 2024, are available with sunglass tints, which are particularly helpful for children sensitive to sunlight during outdoor play.
Unlike contact lens options, Stellest® is non-invasive. Younger children, who may not be ready to manage contacts, can wear glasses all day without special handling or hygiene routines. Research has also shown that vision quality through Stellest® is comparable to standard corrective lenses, ensuring children do not compromise clarity while benefiting from myopia control.
How and When to Use Stellest® for Maximum Benefit
Consistent wear is the key to getting the most out of Stellest®. Children should wear their lenses full-time—all waking hours, except during sleep or water activities. Large-scale studies showed that children who maintained at least 12-15 hours of daily wear had the greatest reduction in myopia progression.
If your child is already using other myopia management tools, such as orthokeratology or atropine eye drops, your optometrist at Insight Vision Center Optometry will help determine if switching to or supplementing with Stellest® makes sense based on your child’s age, lifestyle, and prescription needs.
Local Insight: Dr. Thanh Mai’s Role and Real-World Success
Parents in Costa Mesa can take confidence knowing that Dr. Thanh Mai of Insight Vision Center Optometry is actively shaping how these advanced lenses are used. As an EssilorLuxottica advisory board member and Vision Source speaker, Dr. Mai has been instrumental in bringing Stellest® to patients and advising best practices for myopia management.
Families have found that kids adapt rapidly, even during sunny seasons with busy schedules. Several parents have shared that their children’s prescriptions stabilized for the first time after switching to Stellest®, giving them peace of mind about their child’s future eye health.
Ready to Protect Your Child’s Vision?
If you’re considering the most effective myopia management for your child, schedule an evaluation with Insight Vision Center Optometry in Costa Mesa, CA. With cutting-edge technology and leadership in pediatric eyecare, the team will help you determine if Stellest®, orthokeratology, or other solutions are the best choice. Give us a call at (714) 486-3315 or fill out our online form to get started.
