The Essilor Stellest lens, clinically proven to slow myopia progression in children,^1 has now been evaluated in two studies for its potential to delay myopia onset in non-myopic children,2,3 according to its manufacturer EssilorLuxottica.
In one of the first published studies exploring optical interventions for children with low hyperopic reserves, pre-myopic children aged six to 10 years who wore Essilor Stellest lenses (plano pair) for more than 30 hours per week demonstrated a slowing in axial elongation compared to children using standard single vision lenses.2
A separate retrospective study in China further supported these findings, the company said, showing slower axial growth in 88% of at-risk children* after one year of wear, with axial growth rates even lower than those of emmetropic peers.3,4
With children developing myopia at increasingly younger ages,5,6 EssilorLuxottica said the need for early intervention and proactive management was more important than ever.
Traditionally, management of pre-myopes has focused on visual environment guidance – such as increasing outdoor time and moderating near work in terms of distance and duration – to help reduce the risk of myopia onset.
“Research indicates that earlier onset of myopia is associated with faster progression,7,8 potentially increasing the risk of high myopia and associated long-term ocular complications later in life,” the company said.
“Delaying the onset of myopia by just one year can lower the final level of myopia by approximately 0.75 D or more – comparable to two to three years of typical myopia progression control.9”
The International Myopia Institute defines pre-myopia as a refractive state between > -0.50D and ≤ +0.75D in children who present with additional risk factors.10
Notably, EssilorLuxottica pointed to other research indicating the most rapid refractive and axial length changes often occur in the year preceding myopia onset,11-13 marking pre-myopia as “a key window for intervention”.
“Additionally, in terms of refraction, children who are less hyperopic than expected for their age under cycloplegic refraction should be closely monitored, especially if additional risk factors for myopia are present, as this can be a significant predictor of future myopia development,14 the company said.
Accurate identification of pre-myopia requires cycloplegic refraction, axial length monitoring, and assessment of individual risk factors.
For optimal outcomes, EssilorLuxottica stated consistent wear of Essilor Stellest (plano pair) lenses and regular six-month reviews were recommended.
“With strong clinical evidence and a growing need for early action, Essilor Stellest lenses (plano pair) offer eyecare professionals a meaningful way to intervene earlier – potentially helping to delay the onset of myopia and safeguard long-term visual health, the company added.
More reading
This Australian optometrist is prescribing plano Stellest lenses to prevent myopia
New six-year data for Essilor Stellest lenses in slowing myopia progression
Essilor Stellest lenses now available in six sun tints
References and disclaimers:
Essilor Stellest lenses are currently not available in all countries.
^by 67% on average compared to single vision lenses, when worn 12 hours per day every day for two consecutive years.
* Children at risk of developing myopia defined as non-myopic (non-cycloplegic SER between >-0.50 D and ≤ +0.75 D) children aged 4 to 9 years (“Participants”). Comparison is made between annualised rate of AL change of Participants aged 6 to 9 years and that of emmetropic children16 (SE >−0.50 D to <+0.50 D) of the same age range from the study by Naduvilath and associates.
Data source: The results from one-year retrospective real-world study on 105 non-myopic children aged 4~9 years with a non-cycloplegic SER between >-0.50 D and ≤ +0.75 D initiated in 2021 conducted by the Eye Clinic of the Wellem Medical Group. Data on file, Oct. 2024.
1. Bao J, Huang Y, Li X, Yang A, Zhou F, Wu J, et al. Spectacle Lenses With Aspherical Lenslets for Myopia Control vs Single-Vision Spectacle Lenses: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol [Internet]. 2022 May 1 [cited 2023 Feb 17];140(5):472–8. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35357402/ (1)
2. Zhang Z, Zeng L, Gu D, Wang B, Kang P, Watt K, et al. Spectacle Lenses With Highly Aspherical Lenslets for Slowing Axial Elongation and Refractive Change in Low-Hyperopic Chinese Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Ophthalmol. 2025 Jan 1;269:60–8. (2)
3. Data on file, Oct. 2024. Retrospective real-world study results on 105 non-myopic children aged 4~9 years with a non-cycloplegic SER between >-0.50 D and +0.75 D wearing Essilor® Stellest® plano lenses over roughly a 1-year period in Shanghai, China. (3)
4. Naduvilath T, He X, Xu X, Sankaridurg P. Normative data for axial elongation in Asian children. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics [Internet]. 2023 Sep 1 [cited 2023 Oct 25];43(5):1160–8. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/opo.13159(4)
5. Chen Z, Gu D, Wang B, Kang P, Watt K, Yang Z, et al. Significant myopic shift over time: Sixteen-year trends in overall refraction and age of myopia onset among Chinese children, with a focus on ages 4-6 years. J Glob Health [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Feb 18];13:04144. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10630697/
6. McCullough SJ, O’Donoghue L, Saunders KJ. Six Year Refractive Change among White Children and Young Adults: Evidence for Significant Increase in Myopia among White UK Children. PLoS One [Internet]. 2016 Jan 1 [cited 2025 May 7];11(1). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26783753/
7. Wolffsohn JS, Flitcroft DI, Gifford KL, Jong M, Jones L, Klaver CCW, et al. IMI – Myopia Control Reports Overview and Introduction. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci [Internet]. 2019 Feb 28 [cited 2023 Jun 13];60(3):M1–19. Available from: https://doi.org/
8. Sankaridurg P. A less myopic future: what are the prospects? Clin Exp Optom [Internet]. 2015 Nov 1 [cited 2023 Apr 20];98(6):494–6. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cxo.12358
9. Bullimore MA, Brennan NA. Myopia: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics [Internet]. 2023 Jan 1 [cited 2024 Mar 28];43(1):116–21. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/opo.13058
10. Flitcroft DI, He M, Jonas JB, Jong M, Naidoo K, Ohno-Matsui K, et al. IMI – Defining and Classifying Myopia: A Proposed Set of Standards for Clinical and Epidemiologic Studies. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci [Internet]. 2019 Feb 28 [cited 2023 Mar 10];60(3):M20–30. Available from: https://doi.org/
11. Mutti DO, Hayes JR, Mitchell GL, Jones LA, Moeschberger ML, Cotter SA, et al. Refractive Error, Axial Length, and Relative Peripheral Refractive Error before and after the Onset of Myopia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007 Jun 1;48(6):2510–9.
12. Xiang F, He M, Morgan IG. Annual changes in refractive errors and ocular components before and after the onset of myopia in Chinese children. Ophthalmology [Internet]. 2012 Jul [cited 2025 Feb 18];119(7):1478–84. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22578257/
13. Jos R, Sebastian D, Iribarren R, Lanca C, Saw SM. Axial growth and lens power loss at myopia onset in singaporean children. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci [Internet]. 2019 Jul 1 [cited 2025 Apr 30];60(8):3091–9. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31323091/
14. Zadnik K, Sinnott LT, Cotter SA, Jones-Jordan LA, Kleinstein RN, Manny RE, et al. Prediction of Juvenile-Onset Myopia. JAMA Ophthalmol [Internet]. 2015 Jun 1 [cited 2025 Feb 18];133(6):683–9. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25837970/
