My Child Has Myopia – Now What?
My Child Has Myopia—Now What? My Child Has Myopia—Now What? Trouble seeing the board at school, frequent squinting, complaints of
FDA Market Authorized
Essilor Stellest® Lenses
The First Spectacle Lens Clinically Proven to Slow Myopia Progression in Children
Now available at PersonalEyes Vision Care in Flower Mound, Texas
Is Your Child's Nearsightedness Getting Worse Every Year?
As a parent, you've probably noticed a troubling pattern: every year at your child's eye exam, their prescription gets stronger. They're squinting more, sitting closer to the TV, and struggling to see the board at school. You're not alone—childhood myopia (nearsightedness) is reaching epidemic levels, affecting nearly 40% of children by the time they finish high school.
But here's what most parents don't know: myopia isn't just an inconvenience that requires stronger glasses. As your child's eyes elongate, they face significantly higher risks of serious vision-threatening conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
The good news? In September 2025, the FDA authorized a breakthrough—Essilor Stellest lenses—the first spectacle lens proven to actually slow down your child's myopia progression. This isn't just vision correction; it's vision protection for your child's future.
71%
Reduction in myopia progression over 2 years*
53%
Slower eye elongation (axial length) over 2 years*
6-12
Approved age range for treatment initiation
How Essilor Stellest Technology Works
Stellest lenses look like regular glasses but incorporate groundbreaking H.A.L.T. (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target) technology. Here's what makes them different:
Clear Central Vision Zone
A 9mm clear center provides sharp, corrected vision for everyday activities like reading, schoolwork, and distance viewing—just like traditional glasses.
1,021 Invisible Lenslets
Surrounding the clear zone are concentric rings of tiny, raised aspherical lenslets that create controlled peripheral defocus—a signal that tells your child's eye to slow its growth.
Myopic Defocus Signal
The peripheral lenslets create a "volume of myopic defocus" that signals the eye to reduce axial elongation—the primary cause of progressive myopia in children.
Natural Wearing Experience
Unlike ortho-k contact lenses or atropine drops, Stellest requires no special routines—just wearing glasses at least 12 hours daily, which most children already do.
⚠️ Why Controlling Myopia Now Protects Your Child's Future Vision
Many parents assume that nearsightedness is just a normal part of growing up. But research shows that the higher your child's myopia becomes, the greater their lifetime risk of serious eye diseases:
5.5x Higher
Risk of Retinal Detachment
3x Higher
Risk of Glaucoma
2x Higher
Risk of Cataracts
41x Higher
Risk of Macular Degeneration (High Myopia)
The bottom line: Slowing myopia progression by even 1 diopter can significantly reduce your child's lifetime risk of vision-threatening conditions. Early intervention with Stellest lenses gives your child the best chance at healthier eyes for life.
Why Parents Choose Stellest Lenses at PersonalEyes
Advantages Over Other Treatments:
- Non-Invasive: No contact lenses, no drops, no special routines
- No Infection Risk: Safer than contact lens alternatives
- Easy Compliance: Children simply wear their glasses daily
- FDA Authorized: Backed by rigorous clinical trials
- Younger Age Range: Approved for ages 6-12 (contact alternatives start at 8)
- Clear Vision: Full correction while providing myopia control
The PersonalEyes Difference:
- Comprehensive myopia evaluation by Dr. Kumar Patel
- Axial length measurement to track eye growth
- Personalized treatment plans for each child
- Regular progress monitoring and adjustments
- Full range of myopia management options
- Family-friendly Flower Mound location
Frequently Asked Questions About Stellest Lenses
Is my child a candidate for Stellest lenses?
Stellest lenses are FDA authorized for children ages 6-12 at the initiation of treatment who have myopia (nearsightedness) with or without astigmatism. Dr. Patel will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine if Stellest is the right choice for your child based on their prescription, eye health, and lifestyle.
Will my child notice the lenslets in their vision?
The lenslets are designed to be invisible during normal activities. Some children may notice subtle halos or blur in their peripheral vision during the first few days of adaptation, but this typically resolves quickly. The central vision zone provides completely clear sight for reading, schoolwork, and activities.
How long does my child need to wear Stellest lenses each day?
For optimal results, children should wear their Stellest lenses at least 12 hours per day, every day. This is typically the normal wearing time for children who already need glasses for school and activities.
Does insurance cover Stellest lenses?
Many major vision insurance providers are expected to cover Stellest lenses for children who meet the prescribing criteria. Our team at PersonalEyes will help verify your benefits and discuss payment options. The suggested retail price is approximately $450.
What if my child is under 6 or over 12 years old?
While Stellest is specifically FDA authorized for ages 6-12 at treatment initiation, PersonalEyes offers other myopia management options including ABILITI™ Overnight lenses (orthokeratology), specialty soft contact lenses, and combination therapies. Schedule a consultation to discuss all available options for your child.
How do I know if Stellest is working?
Dr. Patel will monitor your child's myopia progression through regular eye exams, including axial length measurements that track eye growth over time. We typically see patients every 6 months to assess progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Backed by Clinical Research
The FDA's authorization of Essilor Stellest lenses was based on rigorous clinical trial data demonstrating safety and efficacy:
- Prospective, randomized, double-masked clinical trial
- Multicenter U.S. clinical trial in myopic children aged 6-12 years
- 71% reduction in myopia progression (spherical equivalent refraction) at 24 months
- 53% reduction in axial length elongation at 24 months
- No serious adverse events reported
- 6-year follow-up studies showing sustained benefits
*Compared to single vision lenses. Results from prospective, randomized, double-masked, multicenter clinical trial in myopic children aged 6-12 years at initiation of treatment.
Give Your Child the Gift of Healthier Vision
Don't wait for your child's next prescription increase. Early intervention is key to protecting their long-term eye health.
Schedule a myopia evaluation at PersonalEyes Vision Care today to learn if Stellest lenses are right for your child.
Explore our other myopia management options: ABILITI™ Overnight Lenses | All Eye Care Services | Meet Dr. Patel
See Life More Clearly with PersonalEyes
Contact us to see for yourself how we can help improve your vision.