Dr Mark Bullimore weighs in on recent FDA marketing authorization of Stellest lenses

During EyeCon 2025, Mark Bullimore, PhD, MCOptom, FAAO, commented on the recent significant US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement regarding the marketing approval of a new myopia control technology for children in the United States.^1,2 The FDA authorized marketing of the Essilor Stellest eyeglass lenses for the correction of myopia with or without astigmatism last week, which works to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 6 to 12 years at the initiation of treatment.^1,2

The FDA has approved a new Stellest lens technology with highly aspherical lens design. This lens is only the second such approval in the field of myopia control for children, and the approval marks a notable milestone in pediatric vision correction, said Bullimore in an exclusive interview with the Eye Care Network while onsite at EyeCon 2025.

MORE: EyeCon 2025: Stopping myopia in its track starts with progression management

He noted that the approval introduces spectacle-based myopia control to the US, which is a more accessible and familiar option compared with contact lenses. Spectacles also allow for earlier intervention in children's myopia progression. The technology represents an alternative to contact lens–based myopia management, Bullimore said.

“It now brings spectacles into the game, and obviously that's a much easier entry level than putting a child into contact lenses right away,” said Bullimore. “It's a more familiar modality. You can start children in spectacles, probably at a younger age than you can start them in contact lenses. But obviously it depends on the child.”

He believes that the approval provides a new, potentially easier entry point for managing childhood myopia, with spectacles potentially enabling treatment for younger children who are not yet ready for contact lenses. Ultimately, the technology offers another tool for eye care professionals in managing myopia progression.

Eagerly awaiting further clinical trial results, Bullimore hopes that the Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Data will be available on the FDA website in the next week, which he hopes will provide more comprehensive insights into the technology, its effectiveness, and the basis for FDA approval. This will help professionals better understand and potentially implement this new myopia control approach.

References

1. FDA authorizes marketing of first eyeglass lenses to slow progression of pediatric myopia. News release. US Food and Drug Administration. September 25, 2025. Accessed September 26, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-marketing-first-eyeglass-lenses-slow-progression-pediatric-myopia?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

2. Stellest. Essilor. Accessed September 26, 2025. https://www.essilor.com/ca-en/products/stellest/