Introducing Essilor Stellest lenses

Every once in a while, the world of eyecare experiences a breakthrough that feels less like a product launch and more like a revolution. This September, that revolution has a name — Essilor Stellest.

Recently granted FDA market authorization via the De Novo pathway, Essilor Stellest lenses have officially become the first and only spectacle lenses in the United States clinically proven to slow the progression of myopia in children. For optometrists, parents, and young patients alike, this is nothing short of a visionary moment.

For decades, myopia has been quietly reshaping how we see the world — quite literally. Once considered a simple refractive error, it’s now recognized as a global health concern. Studies estimate that half of the world’s population could be myopic by 2050, with more than 740 million children affected. And while glasses have long corrected blurry vision, they’ve done little to address the root issue: the progression of myopia.

That’s where the Stellest lens changes everything. Developed by EssilorLuxottica, this lens goes beyond correction to offer protection — a concept that redefines what it means to wear glasses. In a two-year clinical study, children wearing Stellest lenses experienced an average 71% reduction in myopia progression compared to those wearing standard single-vision lenses. Imagine a world where a child’s prescription no longer climbs year after year — that’s the future Essilor Stellest invites us to see.

At OC Optometry Group, we view this development as more than just technological progress; it’s a fundamental shift in how we think about eye health. The Stellest lens transforms a traditional accessory into a proactive medical device — one that empowers families to take control of their children’s visual development. It’s a union of science and compassion, blending optical precision with a genuine care for long-term well-being.

The FDA’s market authorization also signifies something greater for the field of optometry. It validates years of research and international clinical data, confirming that slowing myopia isn’t just possible — it’s measurable, predictable, and achievable. For eyecare professionals, it opens doors to a new era of evidence-based myopia management, where innovation aligns seamlessly with patient care.

EssilorLuxottica’s leaders, Francesco Milleri and Paul du Saillant, described the Stellest lens as “the beginning of a new era for eyecare professionals.” And we couldn’t agree more. As myopia continues to rise — particularly among school-aged children spending more time on digital devices — having a proven, FDA-authorized option feels like a light in the fog.

For families, this means hope. For clinicians, it means precision. And for children, it means a clearer, brighter, more stable view of the future.

At OC Optometry Group, we believe that seeing well should always go hand in hand with living well. The arrival of the Essilor Stellest lens in the U.S. marks not just a medical milestone, but a meaningful leap toward healthier vision for the next generation.

Because when innovation meets intention, the result is more than progress — it’s clarity.