The morning the glasses go missing
It is 7:40 on a school morning. Shoes are on, and your child cannot find their glasses. Every parent of a glasses-wearing kid knows this morning.
With Stellest lenses, that morning matters a little more, because these glasses do two jobs. They help your child see clearly, and they are part of the plan to slow their myopia. This guide covers the practical side, so you know what to expect from the first fitting to the follow-up visit.
What Stellest lenses are
Essilor Stellest lenses are spectacle lenses made to correct nearsightedness and slow how quickly it progresses in children. The FDA authorized them in September 2025 for children who begin treatment between ages 6 and 12.
Each lens has a clear center for sharp vision. Around that center are rings of tiny lenslets that send a softer focus signal in front of the retina, which is designed to slow the eye’s stretching.
In the study the FDA reviewed, children wearing Stellest lenses had 71% less progression in their glasses prescription at 24 months than children wearing standard single vision lenses, on average. Results vary from child to child.
Why fit matters more than usual
Because the clear center has to sit right in front of your child’s pupil, a Stellest pair is measured very carefully. Our opticians measure where each pupil sits, both side to side and up and down, and line up the optical center of each lens to match.
Frames matter too. There is no universal list of “approved” frames. A frame works for Stellest when its size and shape suit the lens design and it fits your child’s face well.
Choosing the frame
Our optical gallery carries pediatric frames chosen with fit in mind, and our opticians will help you find one that suits your child.
What our team looks for:
- A frame no wider than your child’s face, with their eyes centered in each lens
- A lens opening tall enough for the lenslet rings to work as designed
- A light, flexible frame that holds up to recess and car seats
- Temples that reach just past the ears so the glasses stay put
You can read more about why we fit frames in the office in The Precision Advantage of In-Office Frame Fitting.
Wearing them every day
Stellest lenses work best with steady wear. The manufacturer’s guidance is at least 10 hours a day, at least 6 days a week.
Most children adjust within about a week. During that first week, it is a good idea to go easy on high-impact activities while your child gets used to the new lenses.
Why your child needs two pairs
Kids will be kids. Glasses get left on the bus or sat on in the car.
Our oldest daughter lost her glasses at school. I did not think it could happen, but it can.
Because Stellest lenses only help when your child is wearing them, a backup pair keeps the plan going on the day one pair goes missing or goes back for a repair. That is why your child needs two pairs of Stellest glasses.
Simple lens options
Stellest lenses come in a clear polycarbonate lens with an anti-reflective coating. Tinted and sun versions were not part of the study, so we do not add tints to Stellest lenses. If your child needs sun protection outdoors, ask our team about options.
While your lenses are being made
Stellest lenses are made at a specialty lab, and they cannot be cut or repaired in our office. Timing depends on the lab’s schedule. Our optical team will let you know as soon as your child’s glasses arrive.
Until then, your child keeps wearing their current glasses as prescribed.
Follow-up visits
After your child starts wearing Stellest lenses, we check the fit and then see your child back for follow-up visits so I can measure how their eyes are responding. I will tell you when the next visit should be.
Book a myopia management consult with Dr. Teten to find out whether Stellest fits your child. Book your appointment here · (757) 529-6889 · Navigation Eye Care, 649 Cedar Road, Suite 101, Chesapeake, VA. Serving Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Moyock, and Elizabeth City.
Questions parents ask me
Are Stellest lenses the same as regular glasses with a coating? No. The myopia control comes from the lenslet design built into the lens itself.
Can my child get Stellest sunglasses or light-changing lenses? Stellest lenses are not available with tints, and tints were not studied. Talk with Dr. Teten about sun protection for your child.
Can you put Stellest lenses in my child’s current frame? Sometimes. It depends on whether the frame size and fit suit the lens design. Our opticians will check.
How long until the glasses are ready? It depends on the specialty lab’s schedule. Our optical team will contact you as soon as they arrive.
What happens if the glasses break? Bring them to our optical team. Stellest repairs go back to the lab, which is one reason Dr. Teten says your child needs two pairs.
Which ages can wear Stellest? The FDA authorized Stellest for children who begin treatment between ages 6 and 12. Dr. Teten decides with you whether it is the right fit for your child.