New peer-reviewed research published in Translational Vision Science & Technology offers clinical evidence supporting EssilorLuxottica’s new Stellest 2.0 spectacle lenses over its original design in correcting myopia progression.
Stellest 2.0? I thought these Stellest lenses were just approved …
A key stipulation: That approval was for the United States, with the FDA granting authorization for the Essilor Stellest eyeglasses (note: not this 2.0 version) a mere 2 months ago.
- However, the spectacle lenses were originally first introduced by Essilor (outside of the U.S.) in 2018, and have already been launched in key countries across the globe (including China, Australia, and New Zealand).
So, really, an upgraded version of the spectacles isn’t that far out of left field …
Well then. Let’s get a quick rundown on these spectacles.
The original Essilor Stellest lenses, to clarify.
Their claim to fame: These are the first-ever FDA market-authorized spectacles that have been clinically proven to slow myopia progression among pediatric patients.
- The target age group for these patients: Ages 6 to 16
And importantly: The spectacles are designed for daily use (at least 12 hours per day).
And what clinical data supported that authorization?
Two-year results from a randomized, double-marked clinical trial that found daily spectacle lens wear among 157 target-aged patients resulted in:
- 71% reduction in myopia progression (measured via spherical equivalent refraction)
- 53% reduction in axial elongation (compared to a single-vision control lens)
Notably: No serious adverse events were reported among participants, though some did experience visual symptoms like blurs and halos while wearing the Stellest spectacles.
So, how exactly do these spectacle lenses slow myopia progression?
It really comes down to their design, which is based on the idea that a volume of signal is more effective at slowing myopia progression than a surface of signal.
But more specifically: Comprising a 9 mm single-vision optical zone to correct myopia refractive error, the spectacle lens also features Highly Spherical Lenslet Target (HALT) technology.
- How it works: A total of 11 rings containing 1,021 small aspherical lenslets surround the central zone; these lenslets then distribute light across a range in front of the retina (in lieu of focusing at a single point)—creating a signal that slows axial elongation.
- What this does: Slows myopia progression and provides clear vision for everyday tasks.
Now to this 2.0 version—how does it compare to the original Stellest Essilor?
To note: Essilor introduced the Essilor Stellest 2.0 lens earlier this month as part of an expansion to the Stellest platform for myopia management.
As for the spectacle lens itself: It features an advanced version of the HALT technology known as HALT* MAX technology.
This “MAX” addition refers to an increase in the power and asphericity of the lenslets to offer “greater average power and asphericity, so the volume of non-focused light (VoNFL) is positioned further from the retina.”
- The result: A stronger optical signal that helps slow axial elongation even further— “delivering twice the power (and) higher efficiency in managing myopia progression,” according to Essilor.
So what’s this new research about?
Researchers hypothesized that a volume of signal (such as in the Stellest 2.0) is more effective at slowing myopia progression than a surface of signal (such as in the original Stellest).
- In other words: They wanted to determine if the myopia control efficacy of the Stellest lenses and its HALT technology could be further improved by “a combined increase of power and asphericity of lenslets” (the Stellest 2.0 lenses and its HALT* MAX technology).
Talk study details.
Here’s what to know:
- The design: A 1-year, randomized contralateral crossover clinical trial conducted in Singapore
- The participants: 50 myopic pediatric patients (aged 6 to 10; mean age: 8.6 ± 1.2)
- 34% had a history of using myopia control spectacle lenses
- See here for inclusion/exclusion criteria
- The setup: All patients wore the Stellest 2.0 with HALT* MAX technology in one eye and the Stellest lenses with HALT technology in the other for 6 months
- These combinations were then switched for another 6 months
- The duration: 1 year (in total)
- Patients were evaluated at three clinic visits: baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
- The outcome measure: Axial length change
Now to the findings … starting with some numbers.
At baseline: The mean (±SD) axial length of patients' eyes was 23.97 ± 0.84 mm and 23.99 ± 0.84 mm among Stellest lens and Stellest 2.0 lens wearers, respectively.
At 6 months: The mean (±SEM) axial elongation in eyes wearing Stellest lenses and Stellest 2.0 lenses was 0.105 ± 0.016 mm and 0.043 ± 0.016 mm (P < 0.001), respectively
After the crossover (at 1 year): The mean change was 0.123 ± 0.014 mm and 0.077 ± 0.013 mm (P < 0.001) among Stellest lens and Stellest 2.0 lens wearers, respectively.
And what does this all mean?
Overall: The Stellest 2.0 lenses (with the HALT* MAX technology) were found to offer “significantly higher efficacy in slowing axial elongation” in comparison to the Stellest lenses (with HALT technology).
- So based on this: Researchers noted that the Stellest 2.0 lenses and its advanced technology may be “particularly beneficial for children with faster axial elongation."
Amazing! So … these upgraded lenses aren’t commercially available yet, right?
They are, actually—just not in the United States. According to Essilor, the Stellest 2.0 lenses have already been launched in Greater China.
- The plan: To expand this commercial access to “other key markets” in 2026.
No word yet on when the U.S. may become one of these markets—so stay tuned for updates!