The short version. In 2026 there are three serious myopia-control eyeglass lenses on the market: Essilor Stellest (technology: H.A.L.T.), Hoya MiYOSMART (D.I.M.S.), and ZEISS MyoCare (C.A.R.E.). All three are clinically validated to slow myopia progression in children, with peer-reviewed two- and three-year data showing roughly 50–60% slowing of axial-length growth versus single-vision glasses in compliant kids. At Vision Experts we fit all three. Below is what each one actually does, who it suits, and what we have observed across hundreds of paediatric fittings in Amman since the lenses became available regionally.
What myopia control glasses are (and what they aren’t)
Myopia — short-sightedness — is now epidemic. A widely cited 2016 review projected that by 2050 half the world’s population will be myopic and nearly 10% will have high (sight-threatening) myopia. The driver is not genetics in any meaningful sense — the prevalence has risen too fast for that — it is environment: more near work, less time outdoors, longer screen exposure. The Middle East is on the higher-risk end of the global curve.
Myopia-control lenses are not a cure. They slow the elongation of the eyeball — the underlying anatomical change that causes myopia — and therefore slow the rate at which the child’s prescription gets stronger. A child whose myopia would have progressed by -1.00 D per year on single-vision glasses might progress by -0.40 D per year on a myopia-control lens. Over 6–10 years of childhood progression, the difference compounds into a much lower adult prescription and a meaningfully lower risk of myopia-related complications later in life.
The three lenses below all work on the same general principle — they project a defocused image onto the peripheral retina (which signals “stop elongating” to the eye) while keeping the central foveal image perfectly sharp — but they execute it differently.
1. Essilor Stellest — H.A.L.T. technology
H.A.L.T. stands for “Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target.” The lens looks normal from a distance, but on close inspection the surface is covered with 1,021 contiguous tiny lenslets arranged in 11 concentric rings around a clear central zone. Each lenslet is an aspheric surface that creates a “volume of myopic defocus” in front of the peripheral retina — basically a constant, distributed signal telling the retinal periphery to stop stretching the eye.
The clinical anchor is the three-year Stellest trial in Chinese children aged 8–13, which reported a 67% slowing of axial-elongation versus single-vision lenses, with the effect maintained over three years. Essilor’s follow-up six-year extension data suggests the effect persists through teen years.
What we see in clinic. Children adapt to Stellest within a few days. The 1,021 lenslets are invisible from any normal viewing distance, so cosmetics are not an issue. The narrow clear central zone means children with high-power or high-astigmatism prescriptions sometimes need slightly more adaptation. Stellest is currently the most-prescribed myopia-control lens in our paediatric practice — partly because of the trial data, partly because Essilor has the strongest brand presence in Jordan.
When we choose Stellest. Default first-line option for almost any progressing myopic child between ~6 and 16. Particularly suitable for moderate prescriptions (-0.75 to -6.00 D), no significant astigmatism, and full-time wearers.
2. Hoya MiYOSMART — D.I.M.S. technology
D.I.M.S. stands for “Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments.” MiYOSMART’s surface has 396 small (~1.03 mm diameter) round segments arranged in a honeycomb pattern around a clear central area. Each segment carries roughly +3.50 D of relative defocus. Where Stellest uses aspheric lenslets to create a continuous defocus volume, MiYOSMART uses discrete segments to create a “polka-dot” defocus pattern.
MiYOSMART was the first myopia-control eyeglass lens to win significant regulatory traction (CE marking in 2018, Health Canada approval shortly after). The seminal evidence is a randomized controlled trial published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology (2020), which reported a 59% slowing of myopia progression and 60% slowing of axial elongation over two years. Hoya’s three-year follow-up showed the effect was sustained, and that children who switched from single-vision to MiYOSMART in year 3 also slowed down.
MiYOSMART also includes a hardened scratch-resistant top coat and a UV-blocking layer as standard — Hoya targets the lens specifically at children and built durability into the design from the start.
What we see in clinic. Adaptation is fast (typically 24–48 hours). The honeycomb pattern is slightly more visible up-close than Stellest’s lenslets but still invisible at conversational distance. Optical quality through the central clear zone is excellent. MiYOSMART tends to perform especially well in children with active outdoor lifestyles — the scratch-resistant coating earns its keep.
When we choose MiYOSMART. Active children, children who break or scratch glasses frequently, families who value the longer track record (oldest trial data of the three lenses).
3. ZEISS MyoCare — C.A.R.E. technology
C.A.R.E. stands for “Cylindrical Annular Refractive Elements.” MyoCare uses concentric ring-shaped (annular) elements rather than discrete dots or lenslets. The rings are designed to create a peripheral defocus profile while preserving foveal optical quality through what ZEISS describes as ClearFocus geometry.
MyoCare is the newest of the three lenses — launched in 2022 — so the public clinical evidence base is smaller than Stellest’s or MiYOSMART’s. ZEISS-published one-year data shows efficacy comparable to the other two lenses in slowing axial elongation, but independent peer-reviewed trials are still emerging. The optical theory is sound, the engineering is excellent, but the body of evidence is younger.
MyoCare is available in two variants — MyoCare and MyoCare S — with the “S” version designed for higher-prescription children.
What we see in clinic. Excellent central optical quality. Adaptation is comparable to MiYOSMART. The annular ring pattern is essentially invisible cosmetically. ZEISS’s freeform manufacturing is exceptional and tolerances are tight.
When we choose MyoCare. Children already wearing ZEISS frames or coatings (the optical chain stays consistent). Families who prioritize optical purity over the longest evidence base. Children with higher prescriptions where MyoCare S has a clear design advantage.
Head-to-head comparison
| Essilor Stellest | Hoya MiYOSMART | ZEISS MyoCare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | H.A.L.T. (1,021 lenslets) | D.I.M.S. (396 segments) | C.A.R.E. (concentric rings) |
| Launched | 2021 | 2018 | 2022 |
| Pivotal trial slowing of axial elongation | ~67% over 3 yr | ~60% over 2 yr | ~50–55% over 1 yr (early data) |
| Adaptation time | 2–4 days | 1–2 days | 2–3 days |
| Coatings included | Crizal options available | Hardened + UV standard | DuraVision options |
| Best fit (general) | First-line default | Active kids, longer evidence base | Higher prescriptions, ZEISS preference |
| Pricing (relative, Amman) | $$ | $$ | $$$ |
What actually matters for results
Brand selection is the smallest variable. The three lenses produce comparable efficacy when worn correctly. What actually determines whether a child’s myopia slows down is:
- Compliance — wearing time. Myopia-control lenses work when worn full-time, every waking hour. A child who removes them for sports, reading or screen time loses most of the benefit. In practice the difference between an 8-hour wearer and a 12-hour wearer is larger than the difference between any two of the three lenses.
- Outdoor time. The single strongest behavioural intervention against myopia progression is daily outdoor exposure. Two hours of outdoor light per day independently reduces myopia onset and progression. We discuss this at every paediatric fitting.
- Near-work breaks. The 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes of near work, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds — has weaker evidence but is essentially free.
- Annual follow-up with axial-length measurement. Refraction change tells you what the child sees today. Axial length tells you what is happening anatomically. We track both at every visit.
- Combination with low-dose atropine. For fast progressors, combining myopia-control lenses with low-dose (0.01–0.05%) atropine eye drops gives additive benefit. This is a co-managed decision with a paediatric ophthalmologist.
What we actually do at Vision Experts
A typical paediatric myopia-control fitting at our clinic looks like this:
- Baseline assessment. Cycloplegic refraction (no shortcut on this — non-cyclo refraction over-estimates myopia in children); axial-length measurement; corneal topography; binocular vision assessment; visual habits questionnaire (screens, outdoor, near-work).
- Lens recommendation. Based on prescription, child’s lifestyle, family preference, and budget. Most families choose Stellest or MiYOSMART. MyoCare is recommended for specific cases.
- Frame fitting. Frame stability matters more for myopia-control lenses than for any other lens. A frame that slides down the nose places the optical zones in the wrong spot. We re-adjust at every visit.
- 4-week follow-up. Confirm comfort and full-time wear.
- 6-month re-assessment. Re-measure refraction and axial length. The 6-month axial-length trend is the strongest signal of whether the intervention is working.
- Annual reviews. Continue until stabilization (typically late teens). Some children need a lens upgrade (Stellest → MyoCare S if prescription climbs).
Frequently asked questions
At what age should myopia control glasses start?
As soon as progression is documented. The clinically defined threshold is myopia of -0.50 D or more with progression of at least -0.25 D over six months. Some children need them at six, others at twelve. Earlier intervention captures more years of slowing.
How long does a child need to wear them?
Until the eye stops elongating, which is typically in the late teens or early twenties. Stopping early can lead to a rebound where some of the slowed progression catches up.
Can a child wear regular glasses for sport and myopia-control lenses the rest of the day?
Not ideal — the time out of the control lenses removes the defocus signal. For high-impact sport, prescription sport goggles with the myopia-control lens (where available) is a better solution.
Is the prescription the same as regular glasses?
The base prescription is the same — the myopia-control technology adds the peripheral defocus on top of the regular refractive correction. We use cycloplegic refraction to nail the exact base before specifying the lens.
Will my insurance cover myopia-control glasses?
Some Jordanian private insurance policies categorize them as “medical” glasses and reimburse partially; many do not yet. Worth calling your carrier with the lens name (Stellest / MiYOSMART / MyoCare) before scheduling.
What about contact lenses or atropine instead?
Both are valid alternatives in many cases. Soft myopia-control contact lenses (MiSight is the dominant brand) achieve similar slowing in older children who can handle daily contact lens insertion and removal — usually age 8+. Atropine eye drops slow progression with the additional benefit of working at night. We discuss all three options at the baseline fitting and choose based on the child and the family.
Can my child outgrow myopia control?
No. Myopia is not outgrown. Once the eye has elongated, the prescription does not reverse. The point of myopia control is to keep the final adult prescription lower than it would otherwise be — for life.
Are these lenses available in single-vision frames or only specific frames?
They go into any standard frame. We sometimes recommend specific frame shapes (full-rim, slightly larger lens area) to keep the optical zones centred over the pupil, but the lens is brand-agnostic about the frame.
How to choose for your child
The honest framing for parents: pick the lens that the child will actually wear all day. Cosmetics matter at this age; comfort matters; the optician’s expertise in fitting and follow-up matters more than the marketing brochure. Across hundreds of paediatric fittings at Vision Experts, the difference in measured outcome between Stellest, MiYOSMART and MyoCare is small. The difference between a child who wears the lens 12 hours a day and one who wears it 6 hours is large.
If you would like to discuss your child’s specific case, book an appointment online or contact us at info@visionexperts.net / +962 6 566 6122 / WhatsApp +962 77 566 6122. The initial paediatric myopia consultation is approximately 60–90 minutes and includes cycloplegic refraction, axial-length measurement and a discussion of all three options with your child present.
More detail on the practical fitting process is on our myopia control service page.
Bilal Rawashdeh is the founder and lead clinician at Vision Experts in Amman, Jordan. He has fit Stellest, MiYOSMART and MyoCare lenses in paediatric patients since each became available regionally. This article is for general information and does not substitute for an in-person clinical assessment. Vision Experts has no financial relationship with Essilor, Hoya or ZEISS beyond standard wholesale lens supply.