How do MiYOSMART lenses work?
The technology behind HOYA MiYOSMART is known as D.I.M.S. (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments). The lens has a central zone that corrects the distance prescription, ensuring clear vision. Surrounding this central zone are hundreds of tiny, invisible segments that create what is known as a “myopic defocus.”
The theory is that this defocused light signal on the peripheral retina can act as a signal for the eye to slow down its excessive growth. Think of it as a gentle, constant reminder for the eye to maintain a more typical growth pattern.
What to know about MiYOSMART:
Form Factor: They are standard-looking glasses, which can be a significant advantage for children (and parents!) who are uncomfortable with contact lenses.
Adaptation: Most children adapt to MiYOSMART glasses very quickly. The defocus segments are designed not to interfere with central vision, so reading, learning, and looking at screens should remain clear.
Evidence: The lens has a growing body of clinical evidence supporting its use. Studies have suggested that it can be effective in slowing myopia progression in a number of children.
Unpacking the Essilor Stellest Lens
How does the Stellest lens approach myopia management?
Essilor Stellest employs a different, though conceptually similar, technology called H.A.L.T. (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target). Instead of multiple segments, the Stellest lens uses a constellation of over 1,000 invisible, aspherical lenslets arranged in a ring-shaped zone around the central optical area.
These lenslets create a volume of myopic defocus in front of the retina. This is also intended to provide a signal that encourages the eye to slow its axial elongation.
Key aspects of Stellest:
Form Factor: Like MiYOSMART, Stellest is a spectacle lens, offering a non-invasive daily wear option.
Adaptation and Vision: The design aims to provide sharp central vision and wide fields of view. Many children find them comfortable to wear from the outset.
Research: Stellest also has robust clinical trials behind it, with published data indicating its potential to slow myopia progression in many cases.
Stellest vs MiYOSMART: Navigating the Conversation
So, when parents ask us to compare Stellest vs MiYOSMART, how do we frame the discussion at Eye Philosophy? We focus on the principles and the individual, rather than declaring a universal winner.
Both are FDA-approved and TGA-approved, meaning they have met stringent safety and efficacy standards for their intended use. Both are backed by clinical research, and both have shown promising results in slowing axial elongation in children.
The choice between them often comes down to nuanced factors that are best determined during a comprehensive myopia management assessment.
Other reference:
Understanding Stellest and Miyosmart Lenses for Myopia
Considerations We Explore Together:
Your Child’s Prescription and Eye Structure: The specific characteristics of your child’s myopia and the unique shape of their eye can influence how they respond to each lens design.
Adaptation and Visual Comfort: While most children adapt well to both, some may have a slight preference for the visual experience of one technology over the other. We monitor this closely.
Lifestyle and Activities: Are they heavily into sports? Do they need wide, undistorted peripheral vision for certain tasks? We consider how the glasses will fit into their daily life.
Frame Choice: The success of both lenses depends on the child wearing the glasses consistently and the lenses being perfectly centred in front of their pupils. We guide you in selecting an appropriate, well-fitting frame that suits your child’s face and encourages all-day wear.
Addressing Common Parent Questions
Are there MiYOSMART contact lenses?
This is a common point of confusion. H MiYOSMART is exclusively a spectacle lens technology. There are other myopia management options that use contact lenses, such as Ortho-K (Orthokeratology) or soft contact lenses (MiSight), but these are separate products and not under the HOYA brand. If your child is interested in contact lens options for myopia management, we can certainly discuss those possibilities during a consultation.
Are there any side effects?
With any optical device, there can be an adjustment period. Some children might take a short time to get used to the new way of seeing through these specialised lenses. We schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure adaptation is going smoothly and that the vision is meeting expectations. Serious side effects are not commonly reported with these spectacle lenses.
What are the costs of MiYOSMART and/or Stellest?
It’s natural to be curious about cost. Myopia management is a specialised field, and these are advanced, patented technologies. The MiYOSMART lenses price or the cost of Stellest lenses represents the significant research, development, and clinical validation behind them. It’s an investment in a long-term management strategy.
As an independent optometry practice, Eye Philosophy provides transparent, all-inclusive pricing after a thorough assessment. We believe the value lies not just in the lenses themselves, but in the comprehensive, ongoing care, precise measurements, and personalised management plan that comes with them.
The Most Important Step Isn’t Choosing a Lens – It’s This
The journey into myopia management begins long before we discuss HOYA Miyyo smart or Essilor Stellest lenses. It starts with a comprehensive eye examination and a dedicated myopia management assessment.
At our clinics in Williamstown and Doncaster, this assessment goes beyond a standard sight test. We take precise measurements of the eye’s length (axial length) – a key indicator of myopia progression. We discuss your child’s visual habits, family history, and overall health. This holistic gathering of information is what allows us to form a tailored management plan.
Myth vs. Fact: A Quick Guide for Parents
Myth: “Myopia management can cure your child’s short-sightedness.”
Fact: Myopia management aims to slow the progression, not reverse it. The goal is to manage the condition and potentially lower the final prescription and associated risks.
Myth: “Once you start, you can’t stop.”
Fact: These are management strategies. The aim is to continue treatment during the key years of a child’s growth when myopia typically progresses. The timeline is unique to each child.
Myth: “The stronger the initial prescription, the better the candidate.”
Fact: Myopia management can be considered for children with even low levels of myopia who show signs of progression. Early intervention is often encouraged.
Your Partner in Melbourne’s Myopia Management Journey
The question of “MiYOSMART or Stellest?” is a sign that you are a proactive, informed parent, and that’s the best starting point your child can have. Both HOYA MiYOSMART and Essilor Stellest represent significant advancements in our ability to care for children’s long-term eye health.
At Eye Philosophy Optometrists, we see ourselves as your partners in this process. We provide the evidence-informed information, the clinical expertise, and the compassionate care to help you and your child navigate these decisions with confidence.
The best path forward is one that is chosen together, based on a deep understanding of your child’s unique world. If you are concerned about your child’s myopia and would like to learn more about whether myopia management is a suitable option for them, we invite you to book a comprehensive assessment at our Williamstown or Doncaster practice.
Click this link to book your appointment: https://eyephilosophy.com.au/
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about myopia management options. It is not intended as personal medical advice. A thorough consultation with an optometrist is essential to determine the most appropriate management plan for your child’s individual needs.