Eyeglasses can help us see better by adjusting how we see. But what if wearing glasses could actually help prevent vision problems later in life? Fortunately, exciting new technology might make this idea a reality. Here, btw takes a closer . . . look.
Why It’s Important
Nearsightedness–technically known as myopia–is on the rise, especially among young people. Myopia means that you can see close up objects clearly, but things far away look blurry. Myopia is more common because young people spend so much more time looking at digital screens held close to their eyes. In fact, by the time they finish high school, more than a third of all U.S. teenagers will have developed myopia. According to the National Eye Institute, myopia will continue to become an increasing problem. By 2050, it’s estimated that more than half of the world’s population will have myopia.
Myopia isn’t curable, and it usually gets worse over time. The younger a child is when they’re diagnosed, the stronger it becomes later in life, because children’s eyes are still growing. Eventually, myopia can lead to more severe vision problems, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and even retinal detachment, which can cause blindness.
A Possible “Cure”?
Now, however, a company called Essilor Stellest has developed specialized lenses that have been shown to reverse the effects of myopia in children from six to twelve years old. According to the company, the vision of children who have used the special lenses improved about 70 percent over two years. So far, there have been no serious side effects.
How do the lenses work? When you have myopia, your eyeball actually grows longer. This causes your vision to get worse, but it also means that your retina–light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye–is in greater danger of tearing. The new lenses are built in a special way. They feature 1,021 invisible rings and tiny raised dots that help refocus light back onto the retina. This helps slow the process of the eyeball growing longer. It is recommended that children wear their glasses at least ten hours per day, at least six days a week to achieve the maximum positive effect.
Up until now, the only similar product that has existed is a daily disposable contact lens that has also been shown to slow myopia. But contact lenses can be difficult for small children to manage, and some adults struggle with them as well. Also, glasses are considered a lower risk device than contact lenses, and lead to fewer adverse effects (such as possible eye infections). There are also medicated eye drops that are supposed to have the same effect, but these haven’t yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Who Can Get Them?
These lenses are already available in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. But on September 25, 2025, the U.S. FDA approved marketing the glasses in the U.S. as well. The FDA views the lenses as an important way to combat the chronic disease of myopia and prevent worsening vision problems later in life. The special lenses will come with a hefty price tag: about $450. But it is expected that much of that price will be covered by insurance.