New Multifocal Contact Lens and Spectacle Technologies
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is increasing at a concerning rate. By 2050, half of the world’s population is expected to be myopic. Not just adults, myopia is affecting children equally. Fortunately, innovative lens and spectacle technologies are emerging to effectively tackle this refractive error. At Maple Grove Eye Doctors, we’re at the forefront of these developments so we can help our patients see clearly and comfortably. If you’re a parent or guardian looking for the right options, we can recommend tailored solutions for your child’s needs and lifestyle.
Myopia Is a Global Concern
Worldwide rates of myopia are increasing every year. These have gone from 24% in 1990 to about 35% in the post-pandemic period. This is a whopping 46% increase over the past three decades. Myopia is more prevalent among children and is expected to rise significantly in the coming years.
It’s a global issue, with studies suggesting that one in three children is now affected by myopia. Reasons can include reduced outdoor time, increased screen use, and lifestyle differences. The good news is, we have more tools in our toolkit than ever to manage myopia. Here’s how.
Optical Interventions Are Evolving
Myopia develops when the eye grows longer than expected for a child’s age, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. This axial elongation increases myopic prescription, and genetics, as well as environmental factors, lead to early onset and faster progression of this eye condition.
Traditional single-vision lenses have been used to correct this refractive error, but they cannot slow the underlying progression. Advancements in optical design are now allowing researchers to manipulate the peripheral retinal signals to limit eye growth in children.
These optical devices provide a clear vision and actively modulate retinal image defocus. It conveys stop signals to the eye, reducing the stimulus for axial elongation.
Advanced Spectacle Lenses and Multifocal Soft Contact Lenses are two prominent categories of these technologies. Both are safe, appropriate for a range of pediatric patients, and noninvasive. As regulatory bodies, researchers, and clinicians recognize the significance of these devices in controlling myopia progression, their adoption continues to grow.
Essilor Stellest Lenses Offer a Next-Gen Spectacle Design
The eye care industry is evolving at an unprecedented rate, and spectacle lens research is advancing as well. Essilor Stellest lenses are among the most talked-about innovations today. These don’t just offer correction but also reduce myopia progression.
It’s a significant leap in spectacle-based myopia management methods. This revolutionary technology received Breakthrough Device designation from the FDA in 2024, highlighting its potential to improve treatment outcomes in children with myopia.
What are Essilor Stellest Lenses, And Do They Work?
The Essilor Stellest lenses use the sophisticated Highly Aspheric Lenslet Target (HALT) technology. It features multiple aspheric lenslets (thousands of tiny lenses) distributed across the lens surface. These generate a constellation of peripheral defocus signals without impairing central vision. The design creates a consistent therapeutic peripheral defocus profile across viewing distances for comfort and clarity.
Do Stellest Lenses Really Slow Myopia?
Regularly wearing Essilor Stellest lenses helps slow the signs of myopia in children. These are recommended for kids who are starting to develop or already have myopia. The lenses are ideal for a range of prescriptions or powers, as well as for kids with astigmatism.
They are made of polycarbonate, a durable, lightweight material, making them suitable for active children. These have an anti-reflective coating, and Essilor also introduced a range of sunglasses in 2024 to diversify its offerings.
Essilor Stellest contact lenses have also consistently demonstrated their ability to slow myopia progression in children. Their initial study was a two-year clinical trial involving myopic children aged 8-13. This pivotal study was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), suggesting that children who wore Essilor’s Highly Aspheric Lenslet Target (HALT) technology lenses for at least 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, showed a 67% reduction in myopia progression. After 1 year of the ongoing 3-year trial, the eye growth of children wearing Stellest lenses was found to be similar to, or even slower than, that of non-myopic children.
To date, up to 6 years of data have been presented at ARVO, strongly supporting the long-term efficacy of the Stellest lenses, even in children aged 11-16. Findings demonstrated a 1.75 diopter reduction in myopia compared to children wearing single-vision lenses over 5 years, as well as a 30% reduction in the risk of high myopia.
Is the Vision in Stellest Lenses as Good as Regular Glasses?
Vision quality in Stellest lenses is as good as standard glasses. These allow children to see clearly from far away and up close without disturbing their natural eye functioning. When children look through the center or the outer parts of the lenses, image clarity is similar to that in standard glasses. Children can also achieve 20/20 vision with Stellest lenses, just as with normal glasses.
Wearing time is what makes a difference in the results. Children are encouraged to wear their Stellest glasses for all waking hours (or 12+ hours per day), except during showering, sleeping, and similar activities. If these lenses are worn for shorter periods or irregularly, their effectiveness may be reduced.
Additionally, Essilor isn’t the only brand introducing game-changing spectacle lens technologies. Many others are in the game to help slow the progression of myopia. The exact mechanisms may differ, but the underlying principle remains the same: the lens’s optics must correct refractive error and modulate light to influence eye growth.
Understanding Multifocal Contact Lenses for Myopia Control
While spectacle-based treatments continue to evolve, multifocal contact lenses are another important innovation for myopia management. These soft lenses sit directly on the eye and are available as daily disposables or for monthly use.
Multifocal contact lenses have more than one optical power zone and reduce the rate of myopia progression through a central-distance correction design. Surrounding areas influence how light focuses in the peripheral retina, prompting the eye to slow its growth.
Studies suggest that children wearing high-add multifocal contact lenses had the slowest myopia progression compared to those wearing standard single-vision lenses. Many parents prefer soft multifocal contact lenses over glasses because they’re convenient, offer stable optical performance, and are ideal for active children. Contact lenses can also prevent distortions and the minification effect common with glasses.
At Maple Grove Eye Doctors, when we suggest multifocal contact lenses for children, we aim to achieve two goals: clear vision and slower prescription progression. Ideally, kids aged 7-12 are the right candidates and most responsive to such optical interventions.
That said, not all lenses and spectacles may be equal. The specific design, optical profile, wearing time, child’s age, anatomical factors, family preferences, etc., can influence the choice of treatment and its outcome. When you visit our practice, we can help your child find the most comfortable, safe, and appropriate option. You can book a comprehensive eye exam for your child today to know more.
Guidance for Parents and Guardians
Myopia management isn’t a cure but a strategy to slow its progression. It reduces long-term complications, giving your child’s eyes a healthier path to develop. For this reason, our doctors always emphasize early intervention because the sooner we start managing myopia progression, the better the long-term results will be.
There’s also no one-size-fits-all solution, which is why our approach is always personalized. The key point to remember is that advanced spectacle lenses and multifocal contact lenses can slow progression but not stop it completely.
Your Next Steps
Eyewear technology for myopia management has advanced significantly. Next-gen contacts and spectacle design now offer a 30-60% reduction in myopia progression. These can be combined with traditional approaches for greater control than choosing a single modality.
If you’re curious about what can fit your child’s lifestyle the best, you can speak with the doctors at Maple Grove Eye Doctors to make informed decisions. Your child’s eyesight isn’t just about seeing clearly today but protecting their vision clarity for a lifetime. You can call (763) 416-0622 for professional assistance.
