For years, glasses were simply used to correct the blurry vision caused by myopia. Today, we have a different goal: help your child see clearly while also slowing the progression of myopia.
A new generation of spectacle lenses has been developed specifically for myopia management. Rather than simply correcting blurry distance vision, these lenses are designed to influence the optical signals reaching the developing eye in an effort to slow axial elongation. It is this excessive elongation that is closely associated with increasing myopia.
This is important since higher levels of axial elongation are associated with greater lifetime risks of retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, glaucoma and other ocular complications.
At Mission Eye Care, we measure both your child’s prescription and axial length, giving us a much better picture of whether their eyes are continuing to grow and how well their treatment is working. Our Myopia Master technology can measure eye length to an accuracy of 0.01 mm.
Why myopia control is different from ordinary glasses
Traditional single-vision glasses are excellent at correcting the refractive error responsible for blurry distance vision. But correcting the blur does not necessarily address the underlying biological process causing childhood myopia to progress.
This has led researchers to investigate how the optical information reaching the retina can influence the signals that regulate eye growth.
How do myopia control glasses work?
Unlike conventional glasses, myopia control lenses are designed to provide clear central vision while also creating a carefully engineered optical signal in the surrounding field of view.
The idea is that this additional optical information can influence signals in the retina associated with eye growth.
Different manufacturers have developed different ways of creating that signal. At Mission Eye Care, we stay up to date on the latest research and now offer the newest generation of these myopia control eyeglass lenses. These include Essilor Stellest 2.0, Hoya Miyosmart iQ, and Zeiss MyoCare. While each uses a different optical design, studies show that they all slow the progression of childhood myopia better than their previous generation lenses.
Taking technology further
There are 3 new lenses on the Canadian market that build on the success of their predecessors.
Essilor Stellest 2.0
Let’s start with the original Essilor Stellest lens, which uses hundreds of tiny aspherical lenslets surrounding a central vision zone. These lenslets create what researchers describe as a “volume of non-focused light” in front of the retina. This optical defocus creates a signal that slows the axial growth of a developing eye. 6 years of clinical data proved its efficacy, with study participants showing 57% less myopia progression and 52% slower axial elongation compared with an extrapolated single-vision control.
The newest generation, Stellest 2.0, takes this concept further with increased lenslet power and asphericity to create a substantially “deeper” optical signal. In a randomized crossover study of children, Stellest 2.0 produced approximately 46% less axial elongation than the original Stellest lens over 12 months.
That is particularly interesting because it suggests that changing the strength and characteristics of the optical signal can change its effect on eye growth.
Stellest isn’t the only advanced spectacle-lens option.
Hoya Miyosmart
Hoya Miyosmart uses a technology called DIMS (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments), which creates multiple treatment segments around a central clear-vision zone. Studies showed a reduction in myopia and axial length of about 60% when compared with controls.
The newer MiYOSMART iQ builds on this design with tighter segments of higher power closer to the central clear zone. Early clinical results reported in 2026 have been very encouraging, with a randomized trial reporting almost no myopia progression over 12 months. As with any new technology, we will watch for more studies to see if the results are just as promising.
ZEISS MyoCare
ZEISS MyoCare takes another approach, using specially designed cylindrical annular refractive elements. Multi-year clinical data have demonstrated reductions in both myopia progression and axial elongation by 48-77% compared with conventional single-vision lenses. Study results varied widely between Asian and Caucasian study participants, highlighting the caution that must be taken when looking at headline control numbers from all lens designs. Zeiss is currently in trials with its next evolution MyoActive lens, stay tuned!
These technologies shouldn’t be ranked simply by comparing percentages from different studies. The children, study designs, control groups and follow-up periods are all different. All of these studies add to a growing body of research suggesting that the characteristics and “dose” of the optical signal matter. Researchers are constantly asking how the optical signal should be delivered, how it should be distributed, and what characteristics produce the strongest biological response while maintaining clear, comfortable vision.
The important takeaway for parents is that multiple independent optical approaches now have clinical evidence supporting their role in slowing childhood myopia.
So which lens is best for my child?
For parents, the takeaway shouldn’t be “Which brand is the winner?”
A better question is:
“Which evidence-based myopia-management strategy is appropriate for my child, and how will we monitor whether it is working?”
There isn’t one myopia-control lens that is automatically best for every child.
The right choice depends on factors such as:
- Your child’s age
- How quickly their prescription is changing
- Their current prescription
- Axial length and rate of eye growth
- How consistently they will wear their glasses
- Their lifestyle and visual demands
- Their comfort with glasses versus contact lenses
- Whether additional treatments may be appropriate
In some children, myopia-control glasses may be an excellent choice. For others, options such as myopia-control contact lenses, orthokeratology or low-dose atropine may be more appropriate. Sometimes treatments are combined.
The key is personalized myopia management rather than simply choosing the newest product. Because the ultimate goal isn’t simply to give a child clearer vision today. It is to help them reach adulthood with as much healthy vision as possible.
The most important thing parents can do
If your child’s prescription is changing quickly, don’t wait for the next pair of glasses to address the problem.
Early intervention gives your optometrist the opportunity to establish a baseline, measure how quickly your child’s eyes are growing and determine whether treatment is appropriate.
At Mission Eye Care, our Calgary myopia-control clinic combines advanced measurements, including axial-length monitoring, with ongoing follow-up to track your child’s progress and adjust their treatment when necessary. We offer several evidence-based options, including Stellest, Miyosmart and MyoCare, as well as contact-lens, orthokeratology and atropine treatments.
Give your child’s eyes the best chance for a healthy future
Myopia management is no longer just about giving your child stronger glasses every year.
It’s about managing the growth of the eye.
If you’re concerned about your child’s increasing prescription—or simply want to know whether they are at risk of progressing myopia—schedule a myopia-control assessment with one of the myopia-control optometrists at Mission Eye Care in Calgary.
We’ll assess your child’s eyes, measure their growth, discuss the available evidence-based options and help you determine the approach that makes the most sense for your family.
Take the Next Step for Your Child's Eye Health
Ready to learn more about your child’s myopia risk? Book a myopia-control assessment at Mission Eye Care today.
Dr. Riaz Ahmed, Optometrist
Dr. Ahmed founded Mission Eye Care in Calgary in 2005 with a vision to provide high quality eye care using the latest technology. He has over 25 years of experience in eye disease management and primary clinical eye care.
The clinical results discussed above come from different studies and should not be interpreted as direct head-to-head comparisons between products. Myopia management should be individualized based on a child’s age, prescription, eye growth, lifestyle and clinical needs.
