A Parent’s Guide to Daily Life with Stellest Lenses
What Stellest Lenses Do and How They Fit Into Your Child's Day
Stellest lenses use a technology called highly aspherical lenslets to manage how light focuses on your child's retina. While the central zone corrects your child's nearsightedness for clear distance vision, the surrounding treatment zones create a signal that may help slow the elongation of the eyeball, the primary driver of worsening myopia in most children.
Clinical studies show that consistent daily wear of Stellest lenses can reduce the progression of myopia in many children compared to wearing standard single-vision glasses. However, results vary from child to child, and we will monitor your child's progress over time to see how well the lenses are working. These lenses aim to slow progression, not stop or reverse myopia.
The lenses have a clear central optical zone that your child looks through for everyday activities like reading the board at school or watching TV. Surrounding this central area are many tiny lenslets (micro-optical elements) arranged in a ring-like pattern across the lens that create the myopia control effect. The lens surface feels like a standard coated eyeglass lens; the myopia control effect is optical, not from any change in texture.
- The lenslets are extremely small and distributed across most of the lens surface
- They are designed to be nearly invisible during normal use
- The lenses look similar to regular glasses from the outside
- Some children may notice slight cosmetic differences in certain lighting, but most find them unnoticeable
For the best myopia control results, we recommend that your child wear their Stellest glasses for at least twelve hours every day. Wearing the lenses consistently throughout waking hours is associated with better myopia control outcomes.
Consistency is key to slowing myopia progression. Try to make wearing the glasses part of your child's morning routine, just like brushing teeth, so they put them on as soon as they wake up and wear them until bedtime.
- Aim for full-day wear during all waking activities, including weekends and school holidays
- If your child forgets to put them on, have them wear the glasses as soon as they remember
- Keep a backup plan, such as a reminder on the bathroom mirror or a note in their backpack
- Consistency matters more than perfection, so gentle daily reminders help build the habit
Most children adapt to Stellest lenses quickly and report clear, comfortable vision through the central zone. Because the treatment zones are in the periphery of the lens, your child should not notice them during typical daily activities.
In the first few days, some children may be aware of slight differences in their peripheral vision or mild visual effects when moving their eyes to the side. These sensations usually fade as the brain adapts to the new lens design.
Beyond wearing the lenses, certain daily habits may support your child's overall eye health and complement myopia management efforts. While Stellest lenses are the primary treatment, we often recommend the following lifestyle practices as part of a comprehensive approach.
- Encourage at least one to two hours of outdoor time each day when possible, as natural light exposure may help slow myopia progression
- Teach your child to take regular breaks during extended near work, such as looking up and focusing on a distant object for twenty seconds every twenty minutes
- Ensure good lighting when reading or using screens, and maintain a comfortable working distance of at least one foot from books or devices
- Support consistent sleep schedules, as adequate rest is important for overall eye and visual development
Getting Started: The First Weeks with Stellest
At the fitting visit, we will take precise measurements of your child's eyes, including pupillary distance and the position of their eyes relative to the frame. We will also ensure the frame fits properly on your child's face to keep the lenses in the correct position for optimal myopia control.
- We measure where the optical center should be aligned with your child's pupils
- We adjust the frame for comfort and stability on the nose and ears
- We check that the frame sits at the right distance from the eyes
- We teach your child how to put the glasses on and take them off safely
It is common for children to experience mild symptoms as their visual system adapts to the new lens technology. These usually resolve within three to seven days as the brain becomes accustomed to the optical design.
You may notice your child mentioning slight awareness of peripheral blur, a feeling that things look a little different, or brief moments of distraction when first wearing the glasses. These are normal adjustment responses and typically improve quickly with consistent wear.
Encourage your child to look straight ahead through the central clear zone when focusing on a specific object, whether near or far. In the first few days, some children find it helpful to turn their head slightly when looking at objects off to the side, though most adapt quickly to normal eye movements.
Practice activities at home during the first few days, such as reading a book or playing a favorite game while wearing the glasses. Positive reinforcement and patience will help your child build confidence in their new eyewear.
Set clear expectations from day one that Stellest glasses are strongly recommended as an important part of your child's eye health care. Create a dedicated spot for the glasses, such as on a nightstand or in a case by the bathroom sink, to make putting them on and taking them off part of the daily rhythm.
- Link wearing the glasses to an existing habit, like getting dressed in the morning
- Use a sticker chart or reward system for younger children to encourage compliance
- Remind your child gently if they forget, without scolding or creating stress
- Celebrate milestones, such as a full week of consistent wear
While most children adapt smoothly, some may experience persistent discomfort, worsening headaches, dizziness, or strong resistance that does not improve after the first week. If your child complains of severe or increasing symptoms, contact our office so we can evaluate the fit and prescription.
Sometimes a frame adjustment or a check of the lens positioning is all that is needed to solve the problem. In rare cases, we may need to reassess whether Stellest lenses are the right myopia management option for your child at this time.
Daily Care, Cleaning, and Handling
Because Stellest lenses have a specialized surface with tiny lenslets, proper cleaning is essential to maintain optical quality and avoid scratches. Always rinse the lenses with lukewarm water first to remove dust or debris before wiping.
- Use a gentle stream of lukewarm (not hot) tap water to rinse both sides of each lens
- Apply a small drop of mild dish soap or eyeglass cleaner if needed
- Gently rub the lens surfaces with clean fingertips, avoiding harsh pressure
- Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean microfiber cloth designed for eyewear
Show your child how to hold the glasses by the frame, not by grabbing a single temple or the lenses. Teach them to use both hands when putting the glasses on and taking them off to prevent bending the frame out of alignment.
Explain that rough handling, dropping, or leaving the glasses face-down on a surface can damage the lenses and reduce the effectiveness of the myopia control treatment. With younger children, supervised practice can help build good habits.
We recommend using only products designed specifically for eyeglasses or those approved by our office. Avoid household glass cleaners, paper towels, tissues, or your shirt, as these can scratch the delicate lens surface or leave residue. Also avoid cleaners containing alcohol or ammonia, which can damage lens coatings over time.
Microfiber cleaning cloths are the safest choice for drying and polishing the lenses. Wash these cloths regularly with mild detergent and let them air dry to keep them free of dirt and oils.
Always store the glasses in a hard-shell protective case when your child is not wearing them, especially overnight and during activities like swimming or bathing. This prevents accidental damage, keeps the lenses clean, and teaches your child responsibility for their eyewear.
- Choose a case that fits the frame without forcing it
- Place the case in a consistent, safe location away from edges or high-traffic areas
- Avoid leaving the glasses in hot cars or direct sunlight, which can warp frames
Inspect your child's glasses regularly for scratches, chips, or other damage to the lenses. Scratches can reduce visual quality and comfort, and may affect how well the treatment works, so contact our office if you notice any issues.
We will assess whether the lenses need to be replaced or if the damage is superficial. In some cases, lens warranties or insurance may cover replacement, so bring your policy information when you call.
Stellest at School, Sports, and Play
Let your child's teacher know that your child is wearing special myopia control glasses and that consistent full-day wear is important for their eye health. Teachers can help by reminding your child to keep the glasses on during class and alerting you if the glasses are frequently removed or forgotten.
You might explain that the lenses look a bit different from regular glasses but work the same way for seeing the board and doing schoolwork. Most teachers are supportive once they understand the medical purpose of the eyewear.
Active play is an important part of childhood, and we encourage your child to stay active while wearing Stellest lenses. However, the glasses should be secured with a sports strap or band during vigorous activities to prevent them from falling off and getting damaged or lost.
- An adjustable strap wraps around the back of the head to hold the glasses in place
- Straps are inexpensive and available at most optical shops or online
- Teach your child to adjust the strap so it is snug but comfortable
- Check the strap regularly for wear and replace it if it becomes loose
For contact sports such as basketball, soccer, or football, standard eyeglasses, including Stellest, are not impact-rated and should not be worn during contact or high-impact sports. Protective sports eyewear made of impact-resistant polycarbonate or Trivex lenses in sports-designed frames can better protect your child's eyes during the game or practice. Regular dress frames can break during collisions and cause injury.
We may recommend prescription sports goggles or a backup pair of glasses for children who play competitive or high-contact sports several times per week. Discuss your child's activity level with us so we can guide you on the safest approach.
Outdoor time is beneficial for children's eye health and may even help slow myopia progression. However, bright sunlight can be uncomfortable, so consider prescription sunglasses or photochromic lenses that darken in sunlight if your child spends significant time outside.
Clip-on sunglasses or fit-over sun shields designed for children's frames are another option. Make sure any sun protection does not interfere with the fit or alignment of the Stellest lenses.
Follow-Up Visits and Tracking Your Child's Progress
We typically recommend follow-up appointments every three to six months during the first year of Stellest wear and then every six months thereafter if your child's myopia is stable. These visits allow us to track changes in your child's prescription and eye growth over time.
Regular monitoring is essential to determine whether the myopia control treatment is effective and to make any necessary adjustments to the prescription or wearing schedule. Keeping these appointments is just as important as daily wear of the lenses.
At each check-up, we will measure your child's current eyeglass prescription to see if their myopia has progressed, stayed stable, or changed less than expected. We may also measure the length of the eyeball using a device called an axial length scanner, which helps us assess how much the eye is growing.
Periodic cycloplegic refraction may be recommended to obtain the most accurate prescription measurement by temporarily relaxing the focusing muscles. We also often measure baseline axial length at the start of treatment and track it over time, as this helps us assess eyeball growth and the biological response to myopia control.
- Refraction to determine the updated lens prescription
- Axial length measurement to track eyeball elongation
- Visual acuity testing to confirm your child sees clearly with the current lenses
- Frame fit check to ensure proper alignment and comfort
- Ocular health assessment to monitor the overall condition of the eyes
- Binocular vision and accommodative testing if symptoms are present
The primary sign that Stellest lenses are working is a slower rate of myopia progression compared to what would be expected without treatment. These lenses aim to slow progression, not stop or reverse myopia. We compare your child's prescription and axial length changes to expected norms or to your child's prior rate of change when available, and adjust our recommendations accordingly.
Every child responds differently, so we look for trends over multiple visits rather than expecting immediate results. Even a partial reduction in progression is a positive outcome and can make a meaningful difference in your child's long-term eye health.
If your child's myopia continues to worsen despite consistent Stellest wear, we may recommend combining the lenses with other myopia control strategies. Options may include low-dose atropine eye drops, increased outdoor time, or switching to a different myopia management approach such as orthokeratology lenses.
We will discuss the benefits and risks of each option with you and create a personalized plan based on your child's age, lifestyle, and the severity of their myopia progression.
Children grow quickly, and their glasses may need to be updated not only when the prescription changes but also when the frame becomes too small or uncomfortable. We will assess the frame fit at each visit and let you know if a larger size is needed to maintain proper lens positioning.
When the prescription changes, we will order new Stellest lenses with the updated power. Depending on your insurance or lens warranty, you may receive partial or full coverage for replacement lenses within a certain time frame.
Troubleshooting and When to Call Our Office
Discomfort often comes from a poor frame fit, such as temples that are too tight, nose pads that dig in, or a frame that sits too high or too low on the face. Bring your child in for a frame adjustment, which is a quick and usually free service in our office.
If discomfort persists even after adjustments, we will re-evaluate the lens prescription and positioning to rule out other causes such as incorrect measurements or an unsuitable frame style for your child's face shape.
Occasional mild headaches in the first few days are common as your child adapts to the new lenses. However, headaches that worsen, occur daily, or last beyond the first week may indicate a prescription error, incorrect lens positioning, or that the frame needs adjustment.
Keep a simple log of when the headaches occur and what your child was doing at the time, then contact our office so we can investigate. We may bring your child in for a recheck to ensure everything is correct.
Resistance to wearing glasses can stem from discomfort, peer pressure, forgetfulness, or a lack of understanding about why the glasses are important. Talk with your child calmly to identify the root cause, and involve them in problem-solving rather than forcing compliance.
- Ask if anything about the glasses bothers them physically or socially
- Explain in simple terms how the lenses help protect their vision for the future
- Offer choices within boundaries, such as picking a fun case or strap color
- Consider a reward system or privileges tied to consistent wear
- Contact us if the refusal continues so we can address any fitting or comfort issues
Seek prompt care if your child develops sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, intense light sensitivity, or sees flashes of light or floaters while wearing the glasses. These symptoms may indicate a serious eye condition unrelated to the lenses that requires immediate evaluation.
If our office is closed and symptoms are severe, seek emergency care or visit an urgent care center for evaluation. Also contact us promptly if your child experiences persistent double vision after any eye or face injury, or develops severe headache, nausea, or vomiting after a facial impact, as these may indicate a concussion or other serious injury.
Also contact us the same day if your child experiences a significant eye injury, such as being hit in the eye with a ball or other object, even if the glasses protected the eye. We need to examine the eye to rule out hidden damage.
If the glasses break, do not let your child continue wearing them, as sharp edges or misaligned lenses can cause injury or ineffective myopia control. Contact our office right away to arrange for repair or replacement.
If your child has a backup pair of regular glasses, they can wear those temporarily, but the myopia control benefit will be lost until the Stellest lenses are replaced. We will work with you to expedite the process whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
While any amount of wear provides some benefit, research shows that children who wear their myopia control lenses for twelve or more hours per day achieve significantly better results than those who wear them inconsistently or for shorter periods. Part-time wear reduces the effectiveness of the treatment, so we encourage full-day use during all waking hours.
Stellest lenses are most commonly prescribed for children and adolescents with progressing myopia, typically in the age range where the eyes are still growing. We consider factors such as your child's current prescription, rate of progression, eye health, and ability to adapt to the lens design. Children with certain conditions, such as significant astigmatism, binocular vision disorders, amblyopia, or strabismus, may need additional evaluation or a different myopia management approach. We will discuss whether Stellest is the best fit for your child's individual situation.
Stellest lenses are designed to correct distance vision and provide myopia control, so they should also work well for most near tasks like reading and computer use. If your child has specific near-vision needs or eye alignment issues, we may consider additional strategies, but in most cases, the Stellest glasses alone are sufficient for all activities.
Combining Stellest lenses with low-dose atropine eye drops may be considered in specific cases where glasses alone do not adequately slow myopia progression. Some studies suggest that combination therapy can be more effective than either treatment alone, but we will evaluate your child's individual situation before recommending this approach.
Most children continue myopia management throughout their growing years, typically until late adolescence or early adulthood when the eyes have stopped changing. We will reassess your child's myopia progression at each visit and let you know when it may be safe to transition to standard glasses or contact lenses.
Missing one appointment is usually not a major setback, but it does delay our ability to track your child's progress and make timely adjustments. Reschedule as soon as possible to stay on track with the monitoring plan. Frequent missed appointments can result in undetected prescription changes or worsening myopia that could have been addressed earlier.
Your child should remove the glasses during swimming, bathing, or sleeping. For high-impact or contact sports, we recommend protective sports eyewear instead of or in addition to the Stellest glasses to prevent injury. Otherwise, the glasses should be worn during all daytime activities for maximum myopia control benefit.
Getting Help
If you have questions or concerns about your child's Stellest lenses at any time, our office is here to support you. We can troubleshoot fitting or comfort issues, provide frame adjustments, and help you create a wearing plan that works for your family. Reach out whenever you need guidance to ensure your child gets the full benefit of myopia control treatment.
- Consistent full-day wear during waking hours gives the best myopia control results
- Proper cleaning, handling, and storage protect the lenses and maintain treatment effectiveness
- Regular follow-up visits and prompt attention to red-flag symptoms keep your child's eyes safe and on track