Essilor Stellest lenses get FDA approval for slowing myopia

Essilor Luxottica has received FDA approval for its Essilor Stellest lenses, a new spectacle-based treatment designed to slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children aged 6 to 12, including those with astigmatism. The company anticipates a U.S. market launch in the near future. The Stellest lenses employ concentric microlens technology to manage light focus within the eye, effectively slowing eye growth, the underlying cause of myopia. Clinical trials have demonstrated significant efficacy, with an average reduction of 71% in myopia progression observed over a two-year period. This development addresses the growing global prevalence of myopia, a condition projected to affect half the world’s population by 2050. While the FDA has previously approved other myopia management treatments, such as contact lenses from CooperVision and Johnson & Johnson, Essilor Stellest lenses provide a valuable alternative for children who are unable or unwilling to wear contact lenses.