You and your child go to their yearly eye exam and receive some concerning news: Their prescription for nearsightedness has gotten stronger again. It’s a common experience for many parents, and at Windsor Eye Care, we understand it can leave you wondering if there’s anything you can do beyond just getting new, thicker glasses each time.
You likely want a treatment that goes beyond just helping your child see today. Stellest lenses are a specific type of glasses designed to both correct your child’s blurry distance vision and help slow the progression of their nearsightedness.
A Simple Look at Myopia in Children
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is more than just blurry distance vision. Understanding what it is and why it’s important to manage its progression can help you support your child’s eye health for years to come.
What Is Nearsightedness?
When your child has nearsightedness, it means they can see objects up close clearly, but things far away look fuzzy. This happens because their eyeball is growing too long from front to back. As a result, light focuses in front of the retina (the back of the eye) instead of directly on it, causing blurry distance vision.
Why Myopia Progression Matters for Long-Term Health
A prescription that gets stronger over time means the eye is continuing to grow longer. This continued stretching of the eye can increase the risk of other eye health conditions later in life, including retinal detachments and glaucoma. That’s why managing its progression early is a proactive step toward protecting their future vision.
Common Signs of Myopia in Your Child
You might notice your child showing certain behaviors if their distance vision is blurry. You know your child better than anyone, so keep an eye out if they are:
- Squinting to see distant objects
- Sitting closer to the television or screen
- Holding books or devices close to their face
- Complaining of headaches or tired eyes
What Are Essilor Stellest Lenses?
When you learn your child’s prescription has changed again, you might look for options that do more than simply correct their vision. Essilor Stellest lenses are designed with this exact goal in mind, offering a different approach to children’s myopia management.
A New Approach to Myopia Control
Instead of only focusing on creating clear vision today, Stellest lenses also manage how light is focused in the side (peripheral) vision. This is a modern approach to myopia control in children, providing clear vision for your child now while also helping to shift peripheral focus associated with eye growth.
An Overview of Standard Glasses
Standard glasses correct vision by focusing light onto 1 single point on the retina. While this can make your child’s distance vision clear, it doesn’t address the side focus that may influence eye growth.
How Stellest Lenses Work for Your Child
Correct Clear Vision Instantly
The central part of the lens contains your child’s exact prescription, so they experience crisp, clear distance vision right away. For them, looking straight ahead can feel just like it does with any pair of glasses.
Slow Eye Growth
Surrounding the center of the lens is a group of tiny, invisible “lenslets.” These lenslets change peripheral light in a way that may signal the eye to slow its growth. This part of the lens helps manage the progression of myopia over time.
A Seamless Experience for Kids
To your child, Stellest lenses look and feel just like regular glasses. The technology is built into the lens in a way that is invisible to them and to others.
Is Your Child a Good Candidate for Stellest Lenses?
Stellest lenses can be a great option for many children with progressing myopia. A comprehensive children’s eye exam is usually the first step to finding out if they are the right choice for your child’s specific vision needs.
Age and Prescription Factors
These lenses are generally recommended for children and teens whose eyes are still growing, because this is when nearsightedness is actively progressing. The eye doctor can review your child’s prescription history and eye health to determine if they are a suitable candidate.
Adaptable to Different Lifestyles
Because they are worn just like regular glasses, Stellest lenses are designed to easily fit into any child’s life. Whether your child loves to read, play sports, or spend time outdoors, these lenses work continuously throughout their day without interrupting their activities.
Why a Professional Consultation Is Important
A thorough evaluation from an eye doctor in Atlanta can help determine the most suitable myopia control plan for your child. The eye doctor can assess their vision and talk with you about all available options.
What to Expect with the Transition to Stellest Lenses
Starting with any new type of glasses comes with questions. Knowing what to expect can make the transition smooth and successful for both you and your child, so you can feel confident in your choice.
The Short Adaptation Period
Most children adapt to Stellest lenses very quickly, often within a few days. Their eyes and brain may need a short time to get used to the new clarity, but the process is typically seamless and simple for young wearers.
Daily Wear and Lens Care
For the lenses to work effectively, your child should wear them all day, every day, from waking up until bedtime. Caring for them is just as easy as any other pair of glasses: Just use a proper cleaning cloth and store them where they won’t be damaged.
Follow-Up Visits to Monitor Progress
Follow-up appointments are a key part of the process. These regular eye health evaluations help the eye doctor to check your child’s vision and track the progression of their myopia, so you can see how the treatment is working over time.
Support Your Child’s Vision for the Future
If you have questions about myopia management, our team at Windsor Eye Care is available to help. We encourage you to schedule a children’s eye exam to discuss if Stellest lenses are a good fit for your family.
