Essilor® Stellest™ Is Here at Union Family Eye
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We’re proud to bring the first FDA-approved glasses shown to slow myopia progression directly to our Mecklenburg community. Essilor® Stellest™ lenses are now part of our Myopia Management Platform, reflecting our dedication to offering the most advanced care available. We know how important it is to slow down myopia early, and Stellest gives families a smarter, clearer path forward — combining excellent vision with proven myopia-control technology to protect your child’s long-term eye health.
What Is Myopia — and Why Does It Matter?
Myopia (nearsightedness) means your child can see up close but struggles to see things far away, like the board at school or signs across the room. As children grow, their eyes often grow too — and when the eye grows too long, the prescription gets stronger year after year. That’s the part we worry about. Higher levels of myopia are linked to a greater risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including:
- Retinal detachment
- Glaucoma
- Myopic macular degeneration
- Early cataracts
These risks rise as myopia increases, which is why slowing progression early is so important. The goal isn’t just to help your child see clearly now — it’s to protect their vision for the future. These risks rise as myopia increases, which is why slowing progression early is so important. The goal isn’t just to help your child see clearly now — it’s to protect their vision for the future.
What Makes Essilor Stellest™ a Breakthrough?
Essilor Stellest lenses are engineered with H.A.L.T. (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target) technology, which gently changes how light focuses on the retina to reduce the signal that causes the eye to continue elongating.
✨ Clinical studies show Stellest lenses can slow myopia progression by up to 67% when worn consistently.
Unlike traditional glasses that only correct vision, Stellest actively manages myopia progression — giving parents peace of mind and children better protection for the future.
Learn more here: https://www.essilor.com/US-en/products/stellest/
What Parents Want to Know
Will my child see clearly?
Absolutely — that’s one of the best parts about
Stellest lenses. Even though they use advanced technology to slow down myopia, they still provide crisp, comfortable vision just like regular glasses. Inside each lens are tiny, precisely arranged “lenslets” that help gently redirect light in a way that slows the eye’s growth — the main reason prescriptions get stronger over time. These lenslets are incredibly small and designed so your child won’t notice them while wearing the glasses. So whether your child is reading, playing sports, or looking at the board at school, their vision stays clear — while the technology quietly works behind the scenes to protect their eyesight for the future.
How do they look? Are they thicker than normal glasses?
Great news — Stellest lenses look just like regular glasses. They’re not thicker, heavier, or bulky in any way. If you hold the lens up very close and really examine it, you might notice the tiny lenslets within the design. But from a normal viewing distance, they simply look like clear, everyday lenses. For your child, the lenslets aren’t visible at all in their line of sight. They won’t see any patterns, rings, or distortion while wearing them. To everyone else, they look like a standard pair of glasses — with some pretty impressive science built in.
How long should they be worn?
For best results, lenses should be worn at least 12 hours per day and used consistently.
How soon will we see results?
Myopia control works gradually — it’s not about stopping changes overnight but slowing the normal progression of myopia as your child grows. That’s why consistent monitoring is so important. At Union Family Eye, we use the Myopia Master to measure even the smallest changes in eye growth, usually every six months at minimum.
This allows us to track how well the treatment is working, make adjustments when needed, and ensure your child stays on the healthiest path for long-term vision protection.
Can they be combined with other treatments?
Yes! Stellest can be used alone or as part of a combined approach. Many families choose it as an alternative to prescription drops or contact lenses, but when a child’s myopia is progressing rapidly, Stellest can also be paired with drops for even stronger protection. Yes! Stellest can be used alone or as part of a combined approach. Many families choose it as an alternative to prescription drops or contact lenses, but when a child’s myopia is progressing rapidly, Stellest can also be paired with drops for even stronger protection.
What to Expect at Union Family Eye
When your child begins Stellest lenses, their care includes:
- Comprehensive myopia evaluation
- Axial length measurements with the Myopia Master
- A personalized treatment plan
- Regular progress tracking and eye-growth monitoring
- Ongoing parent education and support
We partner with you every step of the way to ensure your child’s vision stays protected as they grow.
Is Your Child a Good Candidate?
Stellest lenses are ideal for:
- Typically ages 5+
- Children with progressing myopia
- Children who are significantly more myopic than expected for their age and may benefit from combination therapy
- Kids whose prescriptions change frequently
- Families wanting proactive, long-term eye health solutions
If your child’s prescription has increased in the last year, it may be time to explore myopia management options.
A Smarter Way to Protect Their Future Vision
Myopia doesn’t have to keep progressing. With Essilor Stellest™, your child can enjoy clear vision today while protecting their eyesight for tomorrow. And with our full suite of myopia-control options — glasses, contact lenses, and prescription drops — we can create a customized plan for every child. Because early action makes the biggest difference, let’s build a plan that protects your child’s sight for years to come. A clearer future begins with one small step, and we’ll take it together.