Stellest Lenses for Myopia Management
A Modern Solution to Slow Nearsighted Progression in Children. Stellest lenses are one of the newest and most effective treatments available for childhood myopia. While traditional glasses improve clarity, they do not address the underlying cause of worsening nearsightedness. Stellest lenses are specifically engineered to slow the progression of myopia by influencing how light focuses inside the eye. For families seeking an evidence-based, glasses-only treatment option, Stellest lenses offer a powerful solution within a complete myopia management plan.
How Stellest Lenses Work
In healthy vision, light lands on the retina in a smooth arc. Standard lenses bring central light into perfect focus, giving clear distance vision. However, in children with myopia, peripheral light often falls behind the retina—sending a signal that encourages the eyeball to elongate. As the eye grows longer, the prescription worsens.
Stellest lenses change how this peripheral light reaches the retina, shifting the peripheral focus in front of the retina instead of behind it. This reduces the stimulus for the eye to elongate and helps slow future myopia progression.
“Several myopia management treatments like Stellest actually move the arc of light in front of the retina… and that slows the process of the eyeball growing longer” explains Dr. Kendra. Throughout treatment, axial length measurements allow your child’s optometrist to objectively track whether eye growth is slowing as expected.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Any child who is newly nearsighted or beginning to show early signs of myopia can benefit from Stellest lenses. They are an excellent fit for:
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Children who prefer glasses over contact lenses
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Families seeking a non-invasive, low-maintenance option
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Kids progressing quickly or with a strong family history of myopia
Starting early is critical. Myopia control treatments cannot reverse existing eye elongation—they can only slow future changes.
Effectiveness of Stellest Lenses
Stellest lenses offer clinically significant results and are considered comparable in effectiveness to ortho-k and atropine drops. When worn consistently for about 12 hours a day, Stellest lenses typically reduce prescription progression and axial length growth by roughly 50% compared to expected trends.
Most children adapt quickly. Central clarity remains excellent, though mild peripheral blur may occur during the adjustment period. Kids generally become comfortable within days.
Monitoring Progress Throughout the Year
Because myopia progression varies seasonally—often faster in winter than summer—your child’s results are evaluated across a full year. During this time, your provider will:
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Measure prescription changes
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Monitor axial length
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Review daily wear time
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Adjust or combine treatments if needed
If progression exceeds expected values, therapies such as low-dose atropine may be added for enhanced control.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Myopia is more than blurry vision—it represents a structural change inside the eye. Higher levels of nearsightedness increase long-term risks for retinal detachment, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy. Early and consistent treatment helps keep prescriptions lower, which protects eye health into adulthood.
Children who reach adulthood with moderate or low myopia also experience greater freedom, safety, and quality of life. As Kendra notes, there is a real difference between navigating daily life as a –2.00 versus a –8.00 myope—those with higher prescriptions often cannot comfortably function without corrective lenses.
Request a Myopia Consultation in Rapid City
If your child is becoming nearsighted or you’re concerned about rapid prescription changes, Stellest lenses may be an excellent treatment option. The team at Vision Source Specialists provides customized myopia management plans, advanced testing, and ongoing support to ensure your child’s eyes stay as healthy as possible.
Schedule a consultation today to learn whether Stellest lenses are right for your child and begin protecting their long-term vision health.