Myopia is becoming increasingly common in children, with progression often accelerating as they grow. Fortunately, today’s advancements in vision science give parents more options than ever to help protect their child’s long-term eye health. At Dr. Funnell Optometry, Dr. Colin Funnell offers leading-edge myopia management in Ventura, CA, including one of the most advanced treatments now available in the United States: Essilor Stellest™ lenses.
​​​​​​​

Understanding Why Myopia Progresses

Myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back, causing distant objects to appear blurry. In children, this elongation can continue year after year unless it’s addressed with a targeted treatment plan. The goal of myopia management is to slow this eye growth, reducing the risk of more serious complications later in life, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, or early cataracts.

Essilor Stellest™ Lenses: A Breakthrough in Myopia Control

Recently authorized for use in the U.S., Essilor Stellest lenses represent a major milestone - they are the first spectacle lenses specifically approved for slowing the progression of myopia in children.

Unlike standard single-vision lenses, Stellest lenses use a highly sophisticated optical design. They feature a clear central zone for sharp vision, surrounded by thousands of precisely shaped microscopic lenslets arranged in concentric patterns. These lenslets create a controlled peripheral signal that helps reduce the stimulus that drives excessive eye growth in progressing myopia.

Proven Results

In a large two-year clinical study comparing these lenses with traditional single-vision correction, children wearing Stellest lenses experienced:

• A significant reduction in prescription worsening, with progression slowed by over two-thirds.

• A notable decrease in excessive eye elongation, cutting axial growth by more than half.
  
  

These results reinforce what eye doctors globally have observed in countries where Stellest lenses have been available for years: the technology provides meaningful, measurable control of myopia progression. The treatment is cleared for children ages 6 to 12 at the start of therapy and is intended to be worn for at least 12 hours per day to maximize effectiveness.

Why Early Myopia Management Matters

Myopia doesn’t simply “stop on its own.” The younger a child develops it, the more likely it is that their prescription will climb into higher levels over time. Higher myopia is strongly linked with increased lifelong eye health risks. Tools like Essilor Stellest lenses, combined with regular monitoring, give parents a proactive way to protect their child's ocular health and preserve long-term vision.

Personalized Myopia Care With Dr. Colin Funnell

Dr. Colin Funnell creates customized myopia management plans based on each child’s age, prescription, lifestyle, and risk factors. Essilor Stellest lenses are often recommended as part of a comprehensive strategy due to their comfort, ease of use, and powerful impact on slowing progression.

Contact Dr. Funnell Optometry today to schedule a myopia management consultation and learn more about Essilor Stellest lenses