As children spend more time learning, reading, and using digital devices, their visual demands continue to increase. For many families, this has led to a growing concern about myopia and how it may affect their child’s eyesight long term. At Design Vision Optical, we partner with families in Wauwatosa to monitor eye development and provide effective myopia management solutions designed to slow progression and protect lifelong vision.

Understanding Myopia

Myopia is a vision condition where close-up objects look clear, but distant objects look blurry. It typically develops during childhood and can worsen over time as the eye grows.

Common signs and symptoms of myopia in kids
Squinting to see far away
Complaints of blurry distance vision
Sitting very close to screens or holding books/tablets close
Frequent headaches or eye strain
Rubbing eyes often or blinking more than usual
Trouble seeing during sports or outdoor activities

Because children often adapt and may not realize their vision is “different”, myopia can go unnoticed without routine eye exams.

Why Regular Pediatric Eye Exams Are Essential

Even if your child doesn’t complain about vision, routine pediatric eye exams are crucial for:

Early detection of myopia (and other vision issues)
Tracking progression with consistent measurements over time
Creating a proactive plan when myopia is advancing quickly

Myopia isn’t just about needing stronger prescriptions - monitoring how quickly it changes helps determine whether myopia management is recommended.

What Is Myopia Management and Why Is It Important?

Myopia management refers to strategies designed to slow myopia progression during childhood. This is important because the higher a child’s myopia becomes, the greater the likelihood of serious eye complications later in life.

Higher levels of myopia are associated with increased risk of long-term eye disease, including retinal complications (like retinal detachment), myopic maculopathy, glaucoma, and earlier cataracts. The goal of myopia management is to help reduce how high myopia climbs - supporting healthier eyes for the future.

Introducing Essilor® Stellest® Lenses for Kids with Myopia

Essilor Stellest lenses are specially designed, recently FDA-approved eyeglass lenses in the U.S. created to help slow the progression of myopia in children. Unlike standard single-vision lenses, which only correct blurry distance vision, Stellest lenses address how light is focused on the retina to help manage eye growth over time.

These lenses use a unique optical design that incorporates a constellation of small lens elements across the surface. This design helps create a specific light signal that research shows can reduce the stimulus that drives myopia progression - while still providing clear, comfortable vision for everyday activities.

How Do Stellest Lenses Work?

In children with myopia, the eye tends to grow longer than normal, causing distant objects to appear blurry. Traditional glasses correct this blur but do not influence how the eye continues to grow. Stellest lenses are different because they incorporate advanced H.A.L.T. (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target) technology, which is specifically designed to help manage myopia progression.

These lenses are designed to:

Provide clear central vision for daily activities such as reading, learning, and play
Use H.A.L.T. technology to create a controlled and consistent focus of light in the peripheral retina
Help reduce the visual signals that encourage excessive eye elongation

Clinical studies have shown that children wearing Essilor Stellest lenses can experience a significant reduction in myopia progression compared to children wearing traditional single-vision lenses.

Benefits of Stellest Lenses for Children

For many families, Stellest lenses can be appealing because they:

Look and feel like normal glasses
Support clear distance vision while also addressing progression
Offer a kid-friendly option for children who aren’t ready for contact lenses
Provide a science-backed approach that can be monitored over time in-office

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today

Myopia is common, but rapid progression doesn’t have to be accepted as inevitable. With regular pediatric eye exams, early detection, and modern myopia-control options like Essilor® Stellest® lenses, families in Wauwatosa can take meaningful steps toward protecting long-term eye health.

If you’ve noticed signs of nearsightedness, schedule a pediatric eye exam at Design Vision Optical to learn if Stellest lenses are right for your child.