Essilor Stellest lenses are spectacle lenses that slow the progression of short-sightedness (myopia) in children, using rings of tiny aspherical lenslets (H.A.L.T. technology) to create a shield of myopic defocus that signals the eye to grow more slowly. In clinical studies they slowed myopia progression by around 67% when worn at least 12 hours a day. Our consultant-led myopia management programme starts from £75 per month, including the Stellest lenses, axial-length monitoring and regular reviews.
Why managing childhood myopia matters
Myopia (short-sightedness) means distant objects look blurred. It usually begins in childhood and tends to worsen each year as the eye grows too long from front to back. Beyond needing stronger glasses, higher myopia raises the lifelong risk of serious eye conditions in adulthood — including retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration and glaucoma.
This is why myopia management has become so important. Rather than simply correcting blur with ordinary single-vision glasses, treatments like Stellest aim to slow the underlying growth of the eye — protecting your child's vision now and reducing risk for the future. You can compare the full range of myopia control options we offer, from spectacles to contact lenses and drops.
How Stellest lenses work
Stellest uses Essilor's H.A.L.T. (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target) technology: 11 concentric rings of contiguous aspherical lenslets surround a clear central zone. The central zone gives your child sharp, comfortable everyday vision, while the lenslets create a volume of myopic defocus just in front of the retina. This optical signal tells the eye to slow its elongation — the root cause of worsening myopia.
There is no single right answer — the best myopia treatment depends on your child's age, prescription, lifestyle and preferences. Many families choose Stellest because it requires no contact-lens handling or drops, just a great pair of glasses worn all day. Our consultant will recommend the right approach at your free online consultation.
Is your child's prescription getting stronger each year? Early myopia management gives the best chance of slowing it down. Book a paediatric assessment with axial-length measurement.
Book a myopia assessmentHow the Stellest programme works
Getting started is simple and completely non-invasive — there is no surgery and nothing uncomfortable for your child.
- Paediatric eye assessment — we check your child's vision, prescription and eye health, and measure the axial length of the eye as a baseline.
- Suitability discussion — the consultant confirms Stellest is appropriate and explains realistic expectations with you and your child.
- Lens fitting — Stellest lenses are made to your child's exact prescription and fitted into a frame they like.
- Full-time wear — for the best effect, the glasses should be worn at least 12 hours a day, every day, including at school.
- Regular reviews — we re-measure vision and axial length to confirm the treatment is working and adjust the plan.
Monitoring your child's progress
Myopia management is a journey over several years. Consistent wear and regular monitoring are what make the difference.
Baseline assessment
Full eye check plus an axial-length scan to record exactly how long the eye is before treatment begins.
First weeks in Stellest
Children adapt quickly — central vision is clear and the lenses feel like ordinary glasses. Full-time daily wear starts straight away.
Every 4–6 months
Review appointments re-check the prescription and axial length to show whether progression is slowing as expected.
Year on year
The plan continues until the eye stabilises, usually in the late teens. Lenses are updated as the prescription changes.
Cost & what's included
Our myopia management is offered as an all-inclusive monthly programme so the cost is easy to budget alongside ongoing reviews.
- Stellest programme: from £75 per month, covering the Stellest lenses, axial-length monitoring and regular progress reviews.
- Lenses per pair: bought outright, Stellest lenses are typically £350–£500 plus frames.
- Family options: we confirm the exact cost and any sibling or annual options at your assessment.
Want to weigh up the alternatives first? Explore all our treatments or read about short and long sight.