Stellest: What We’ve Learned

Key takeaways:

• Stellest lenses are designed to both correct vision and slow myopia progression in children.

• Our patients have shown remarkable acceptance of Stellest lenses for both vision quality and appearance.

• Stellest lenses are an excellent first-line treatment for many children with progressive myopia.

• Higher-risk children may benefit from combination treatments such as Stellest lenses plus low-dose atropine or specialty contact lenses.

Bright Eyes Family Vision is turning 20 years old this summer! And that means that we’ve been providing options to help control children’s vision for almost two decades. During this time, there has been so much research and new developments. It has been very exciting to offer new solutions for patients. The latest of these is the Stellest Myopia Control spectacle lens.

The Problem of Myopia

What many parents do not realize is that childhood nearsightedness, also called myopia, is usually progressive. In many children, the prescription continues to worsen month after month, year after year. Higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risks of serious eye health problems later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic macular degeneration.

Enter Stellest

At Bright Eyes Kids, we have embraced myopia management as one of our major focuses in children’s eye care. In fact, our office has now dispensed over 100 pairs of Stellest lenses, making us one of the top Stellest providers in the United States. That experience has allowed us to see firsthand how these lenses can help children and families.

Success

One of the most common concerns patients have been whether their child will actually like wearing the lenses. Fortunately, we have seen remarkable patient acceptance, both in terms of both the child’s vision and their appearance. Children generally adapt very quickly to Stellest lenses and report clear, comfortable vision for school, play, reading, and everyday activities. Cosmetically, the lenses look very similar to regular glasses, which is important for children who may already feel self-conscious about wearing eyewear.

How Stellest Work

Stellest lenses use H.A.L.T. optical technology that includes over one thousand tiny treatment lenslets built into the lens design. These lenslets work alongside the child’s prescription to create a signal that helps slow excessive eye growth, which is the primary driver of worsening myopia.

For many children, Stellest lenses are an excellent first-line treatment for progressive myopia. They are non-invasive, easy to use, and fit naturally into a child’s daily routine. Many families appreciate that their child can simply wear glasses while still actively treating the condition. This makes compliance easy.

Combination Treatment

However, not every child’s case is the same. Some children are considered higher risk because of factors such as very rapid progression, strong family history, early onset myopia, or high prescriptions at a young age. In these situations, combination treatment approaches may be recommended. This can include pairing Stellest lenses with other evidence-based therapies such as low-dose atropine eye drops or specialized contact lens treatments. At Bright Eyes Kids, we carefully tailor treatment plans to each child’s specific needs and risk factors.

What To Do First

If your child’s nearsightedness seems to increase every year, or if you are highly nearsighted, this is an excellent time to learn more about myopia management and whether Stellest lenses may be appropriate for your family. Contact Bright Eyes Family Vision Car at 813-792-0637 or office@brighteyestampa.com to schedule a pediatric eye examination or myopia management consultation.