Essilor Stellest 2.0 Launches

Designed with increased lenslet power and asphericity, this next-generation lens builds on the original H.A.L.T.* technology first launched in China in 2020. Validated in a one-year clinical crossover study, Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses have demonstrated greater efficacy in managing myopia progression compared to the first-generation lenses.^†1

Millions of children around the world have already benefited from the first-generation Essilor Stellest lenses, which have been shown to slow down myopia progression by 67% on average.^‡2

Essilor  Stellest 2.0 lenses, powered by H.A.L.T.* MAX technology, provide twice the signal,^§ slowing myopic eye growth even further compared to the first-generation lens. ^¶1

Commenting on Essilor’s ongoing search for new ways to manage myopia, Amy Pillay, Professional Affairs Manager ANZ, said this latest “innovation is our most effective solution for myopia management yet.”^#1

Figure 1: Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses, powered by H.A.L.T.* MAX technology, provide twice the depth of volume of non-focused light (by design) compared to that of Essilor Stellest lenses with H.A.L.T.* technology. A) Original Essilor Stellest technology and B Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses with H.A.L.T. Max technology.

Technological Advances

The lenslets in Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses are spread over 12 rings on the lens, as opposed to 11 in the previous generation, supporting a wider diameter and allowing for a broader frame choice.

Essilor’s continued research in myopia has led to this new advancement. R&D experts identified a dose-dependent relationship between the characteristics of the lenslets and myopia progression control efficacy, enabling them to hypothesise an optimal ‘dosage’ of lenslet power and asphericity, which was then incorporated into the new lens design.

Clinical Trial

To assess the efficacy of Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses, a contralateral crossover clinical trial was conducted in Singapore with 50 children. The results showed that Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses, powered by H.A.L.T.* MAX technology, significantly slowed axial elongation compared to Essilor Stellest lenses (first generation) with H.A.L.T.* technology after 12 months.¹

Amy Pillay further explained, “The lenslets work on two key principles: increasing the mean power and increasing the asphericity of the lenslets”.

“Together, these changes provide twice the depth volume of non-focused light positioned further from the retina, compared to the previous generation lens.

“This results in a stronger optical signal that can help slow axial elongation.”

Figure 2: Illustration of the results from the contralateral crossover clinical trial.Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses, powered by H.A.L.T.* MAX technology, significantly slowed axial elongation compared to Essilor Stellest lenses with H.A.L.T.* technology at months six and 12. §§The SVL (grey zone) is based on Singaporean data from the SCORM study3 and a 2025 clinical trial,4 extrapolated for children aged six to 10 years. ##P<0.001 using paired t-test; Unadjusted mean AL change; Error bars represent SEM For comparison, the grey zone represents axial elongation observed in age matched children wearing single vision lenses.³

Encouraging Uptake of Myopia Control

To encourage adoption of myopia control lenses, Ms Pillay suggested eye care professionals “help parents understand that single vision lenses primarily correct vision but do not actively slow myopia progression”.

“Emphasise that slowing progression is important for their child’s long-term eye health, as myopia can progress rapidly in some children and may increase the risk of developing high myopia.⁶ Encourage early intervention by explaining that starting myopia management as soon as myopia is detected can maximise the chance of reducing progression and protecting the child’s vision in the long term.

Ms Pillay said encouraging take-up of Essilor Stellest 2 lenses over the original will enhance myopia management.

“There is an ongoing need for enhanced myopia management solutions, particularly for younger children,⁷ fast progressors,⁷ and those with higher levels of myopia at onset,¹” she said. “In such cases, early and proactive use of the most effective available option is encouraged.

“Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses build on the clinically proven² performance of the original Essilor Stellest lens, which remains available, and represent Essilor’s most effective solution to date for slowing myopic eye growth. They were evaluated in younger children (ages 6–10),2 highlighting their suitability for early intervention. Based on the prescribing eye care professional’s decision, Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses may be recommended to a child who presents with initial signs of progressive myopia and up until their myopia stabilises.”

Essilor  Stellest 2.0 lenses, powered by H.A.L.T.* MAX technology, provide twice the signal,^§ slowing myopic eye growth even further compared to the first-generation lens

*H.A.L.T., Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target

^†Based on 12-month results from a prospective, randomised, double-masked contralateral crossover clinical trial conducted in Singapore on 50 children.

^‡Compared to single vision lenses, when worn 12 hours per day every day for two consecutive years.

• Essilor Stellest lenses create a volume of non-focused light in front of the retina, which generates the stimulus that slows eye elongation in myopia. This stimulus is twice as strong in Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses compared to Essilor Stellest lenses. This does not imply the corresponding doubling of efficacy for slowing myopia progression.

^¶Based on 12-month results from a prospective, randomised, double-masked contralateral crossover clinical trial conducted in Singapore on 50 children.^\# Twice the power refers to two (or more) times the depth of volume of non-focused light (by design) compared to that of Essilor Stellest lenses and is not associated with twice the lens or lenslet power. Additionally, this does not imply a corresponding doubling of efficacy in slowing myopia progression. ^#Compared to products within the Essilor portfolio

** Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses are made from AIRWEAR polycarbonate which provides impact-resistance and blocks 100% transmission of UV.

^††Higher power refers to the increased depth of volume of non-focused light in front of the retina—twice that of Essilor Stellest lenses by design – and is not associated with a doubling of lens power, lenslet power, or efficacy.

^‡‡Based on 12-month results from a prospective, randomised, double-masked contralateral crossover clinical trial conducted in Singapore on 50 children.

References

1. Raveendran RN, Ong WS, Drobe B, et al. Effect of increased power and asphericity of highly aspherical lenslets on myopia control efficacy: a contralateral crossover study. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2025;14(11):9. doi:10.1167/tvst.14.11.9.
2. Bao J, Huang Y, Chen, H, et al. Spectacle lenses with aspherical lenslets for myopia control vs single-vision spectacle lenses: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA ophthalmology. 2022;140(5):472-8. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.0401.
3. Rozema J, et al. Axial growth and lens power loss at myopia onset in Singaporean children. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science. 2019;60(8):3091-9
4. Wong YL, et al. Myopia control efficacy of spectacle lenses with dual-index aspherical lenslets (DIAL): A 1-year randomized clinical trial. Ophthalmol Sci. 2025 Mar 14;100766.
5. Sankaridurg P, et al. IMI impact of myopia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2021;62:2–2. https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.62.5.2
6. Gifford KL, et al. IMI–clinical management guidelines report. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science. 2019 Feb 28;60(3):M184-203.
7. Shah R, et al. Reviews of myopia control strategies and myopia complications. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 2024; 44: 1248–1260.
8. Euromonitor, Eyewear 2025 edition; Essilor International company; worldwide retail value sales at RSP
9. Based on an average recommendation with quantitative research conducted in 8 countries (Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Italy, UK, and the US) among a representative sample of 1560 Eye Care Professionals: 1047 opticians, 513 optometrists between January and June 2022. These eight countries represent: 63% of total world in lens volume