Stellest Lenses: A New Tool for Slowing Childhood Myopia

Childhood myopia (nearsightedness) is increasing rapidly around the world. In the United States, roughly 40–45% of children are now myopic, and rates are even higher in many other countries. More concerning is that myopia often progresses quickly during childhood, which can increase the risk of eye diseases later in life such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy.

Fortunately, several new treatment approaches can help slow the progression of myopia. One of the most exciting recent innovations is the Essilor Stellest Lenses, a spectacle lens designed specifically to manage childhood myopia.

At Midtown Vision, we offer Stellest lenses as part of a comprehensive approach to protecting children’s long-term eye health.

What Are Stellest Lenses?

Stellest lenses look like regular eyeglass lenses, but they contain advanced optical technology designed to slow eye growth.

The lenses use Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target (H.A.L.T.) technology, which incorporates hundreds of tiny lenslets arranged in a ring around the central prescription zone. The center of the lens provides clear vision, while the surrounding lenslets create a specific type of optical signal that helps slow the elongation of the eye—one of the main causes of worsening myopia.

Children wearing Stellest lenses see clearly through the center while the peripheral optical signals help guide the eye toward healthier growth.

How Effective Are Stellest Lenses?

Clinical studies have shown impressive results.

In a two-year randomized clinical trial, children wearing Stellest lenses experienced:

• About 67% slower myopia progression on average

• Significantly reduced eye elongation

Even more encouraging, follow-up studies suggest that these benefits continue with longer-term wear.

For parents, this means Stellest lenses may help reduce the likelihood that a child’s prescription will rapidly worsen each year.

Who Are Stellest Lenses For?

Stellest lenses are designed for children with progressing myopia, typically between ages 6 and 16.

They may be a good option for children who:

• Are becoming increasingly nearsighted each year

• Have parents with moderate or high myopia

• Spend significant time doing near work or on screens

• Have difficulty with contact lenses

Because Stellest lenses are worn just like normal glasses, they can be a particularly convenient treatment option for younger children.

Stellest vs. Other Myopia Control Options

There are several effective treatments available for slowing myopia progression. At Midtown Vision we often discuss multiple options with families.

Common approaches include:

• Low-dose atropine eye drops

• Orthokeratology (overnight contact lenses)

• Multifocal soft contact lenses

• Myopia-control spectacle lenses like Stellest

Each approach has advantages depending on the child’s age, prescription, lifestyle, and family preference. Stellest lenses are often appealing because they are non-invasive, easy to use, and require no special handling beyond wearing glasses.

Why Slowing Myopia Matters

For many families, glasses seem like a simple inconvenience. But higher levels of myopia can increase the lifetime risk of serious eye conditions.

Research shows that even small reductions in myopia progression can meaningfully reduce long-term risk. Slowing progression by even 1 diopter can significantly lower the chance of future retinal disease.

That’s why modern pediatric eye care increasingly focuses on managing myopia early, rather than simply updating prescriptions each year.

Myopia Management at Midtown Vision

At Midtown Vision, our goal is not only to help children see clearly today—but also to protect their vision for decades to come.

Our myopia management program includes:

• Comprehensive pediatric eye exams

• Monitoring eye growth and prescription changes

• Personalized treatment recommendations

• Options including Stellest lenses and other evidence-based therapies

If your child’s prescription has been changing each year, we recommend discussing myopia management options sooner rather than later.

Schedule a Myopia Consultation

If you are interested in learning whether Essilor Stellest Lenses might be right for your child, we would be happy to help.

Early treatment can make a significant difference in long-term eye health.

Contact Midtown Vision today to schedule a pediatric eye exam or myopia consultation.

Midtown Optometry’s San Lorenzo River Clean‑Up Day

In July 2025 our Midtown Optometry team took our passion for eye health outdoors. Instead of spending the morning behind phoropters and slit‑lamps, we donned gloves and reusable buckets and headed down to the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz for a community clean‑up. The San Lorenzo may seem like a small creek when you cross it downtown, but this waterway is central to our city’s health. It is 29 miles long and drains a 137‑square‑mile watershed that includes Santa Cruz, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton and Scotts Valley. Historically, its flow powered lime, leather and lumber industries and once supported prolific runs of steelhead trout and coho salmon.. Today more than 122 bird species forage and nest along the lower river, and nearly 100 000 residents rely on the San Lorenzo for most of their drinking water. During a symposium celebrating four decades of conservation, scientists described the river as “flowing directly through the heart of Santa Cruz” and noted that it is a vital water source for people, fish and numerous other animals and plants.

Why Clean Up the River?

We care deeply about our community and our planet. Midtown Optometry is not just an eye clinic; we actively invest in initiatives that lessen the environmental impact of our operations. Through our partnership with TerraPass, we support renewable energy and forest preservation projects. For every staff member, we contribute twice the value of their estimated footprint to conservation work through the Rainforest Trust, helping protect millions of acres of rainforest. Volunteering to clean local beaches and rivers is another way we take responsibility for the environment.

This isn’t our first clean‑up. Our office has also closed for a morning so the entire staff could pick up trash at Twin Lakes Beach, Boardwalk Beach, as well as other trips to the San Lorenzo River. At our first beach clean up at Twin Lakes, we spent the day gathering litter, from cigarette butts and napkins to bottles and cans, and hauled 37 pounds of debris off the sand. We left energized to do more.

The San Lorenzo

The river was tranquil, but the amount of trash lodged along its banks surprised us. In just a few hours we collected 22 pounds of waste, including bottle caps, fast‑food wrappers, micro‑plastics, fishing line and even an old car tire. Every piece removed made a difference.

We finished the morning by properly sorting recyclables and trash and enjoyed coffee together while watching the river flow past. The feeling of camaraderie was palpable; volunteering together not only helps the environment but also strengthens our team.

About Midtown Optometry

For those who don’t know us, Midtown Optometry is a trusted eye‑care practice located at 550 Water Street in Santa Cruz. Our optometrists—Dr. Fellers, Dr. Burns and Dr. Ruegg—trained at UC Berkeley and specialize in computer vision, ocular health, pediatric eye care and myopia management.

Looking Ahead

Our San Lorenzo clean‑up day reminded us how intertwined our community is with the natural world. The river has come a long way since the 1970s, when sedimentation, pollution and urban runoff degraded its habitat. Thanks to decades of conservation and public outreach, sedimentation has been reduced by 70 percent.

Dry Eye: what is it and what can you do?

Dry eye is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears produced are of poor quality, leading to discomfort and irritation. If left untreated, dry eye can cause damage to the cornea and other parts of the eye, leading to more serious vision problems. In this blog, we will share the causes of dry eye, its symptoms, and the different treatments available.

Causes of Dry Eye:

1) Dry eye can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

2) Age: As we get older, our tear production decreases, leading to dry eyes.

3) Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders, can cause dry eye.

4) Medications: Some medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants, can reduce tear production.

5) Environmental factors: Exposure to wind, smoke, and dry air can cause dry eye.

6) Contact lens wear: Wearing contact lenses for an extended period can lead to dry eye.

The symptoms of dry eye can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms include:

1) Burning and stinging of the eyes

2)Redness of the eyes

3) Blurred vision

4) Sensitivity to light

5) Tired eyes

6) A feeling of grittiness or sand in the eyes

7) Watery eyes (this can be a sign that the eyes are not producing enough tears)

Treatments for Dry Eye:

There are several treatments available for dry eye, depending on the severity of the condition. Some common treatments include:

1) Artificial tears: Artificial tears are eye drops that can help to lubricate the eyes and provide temporary relief from dry eye symptoms.

2) Prescription eye drops: There are several prescription eye drops available that can help to increase tear production and reduce inflammation.

3) Punctal plugs: Punctal plugs are small, silicone plugs that are inserted into the tear ducts to help retain tears on the surface of the eye.

4) Lifestyle changes: Making changes to your lifestyle, such as taking regular breaks from reading or using a computer, can help to reduce the symptoms of dry eye.