
Myopia Management Products: Glasses

Author: Jason Higginbotham
BSc (Hons) MCOptom Prof Cert Glau Prof Cert Med Ret Prof Cert LV FBDO MBCLA
Lenses for Myopia Management: An Introduction
Spectacle lenses for myopia management differ significantly from standard glasses. While traditional glasses provide clear vision by correcting the refractive error of myopia, they do not address the progression of the condition. Myopia management lenses, on the other hand, are designed not only to correct vision but also to slow the elongation of the eyeball, which is the primary cause of myopia progression and the reason why the condition leads to a range of ocular complications which can cause sight loss.
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​These specialised lenses use advanced optical designs, including defocus zones, lenslets, and diffusers, to create controlled "myopic defocus" in the peripheral retina. This defocus reduces the signals for the eye to elongate, helping to manage the progression of myopia. They are a suitable, non-invasive solution for many patients and prescriptions. To achieve the best outcomes, full-time wear of these lenses is recommended.
Brands and Products in Myopia Management Glasses
​Below is a list of brands supplying myopia control glasses, along with details about their product technology, licensing, and market presence:
HOYA Vision Care
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Product Name: MiYOSMART
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Technology: Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS)
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Licensing: Licensed in over 60 countries, including the UK, USA, Europe, and Asia.
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Years on Market: Launched in 2018, with clinical validation showing approximately 60% efficacy in slowing myopia progression.
Essilor
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Product Name: Stellest
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Technology: Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target (HALT) design, featuring multiple lenslets to create myopic defocus.
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Licensing: Available in multiple countries across Europe, Asia, and selected markets in the Americas.
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Years on Market: Introduced in 2020, with promising results from two-year clinical trials showing up to 67% reduction in myopia progression.
Zeiss
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Product Name: MyoVision Pro
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Technology: Peripheral defocus management with a focus on slowing axial elongation.
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Licensing: Widely available in Europe, Asia, and other global markets.
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Years on Market: Released in 2010, one of the earlier adopters of myopia control technology in spectacle lenses.
Rodenstock
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Product Name: MyCon
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Technology: Lens designs targeting both peripheral defocus and accommodative lag.
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Licensing: Available in select European and Asian markets.
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Years on Market: Launched in 2021, making it a newer entrant in the market.
Nikon
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Product Name: SeeMax Myopia
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Technology: Combines advanced lenslet technology with custom fitting for optimal myopia control.
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Licensing: Primarily available in Asia and select European countries.
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Years on Market: Launched in 2022, targeting both efficacy and comfort for young wearers.
Shanghai Weicon Optics
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Product Name: Myopilux
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Technology: Utilises a design focused on peripheral defocus to reduce myopia progression.
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Licensing: Available in parts of Asia and emerging global markets.
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Years on Market: On the market since 2019, with increasing adoption.
Feature | MiYOSMART (HOYA) | Stellest (Essilor) | MyoVision Pro (ZEISS) |
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Technology | Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) | Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target (HALT) | Peripheral Defocus Management |
Mechanism | Alternating clear and myopic defocus zones to reduce axial elongation | 1,021 lenslets creating myopic defocus for controlled eye growth | Designed to shift peripheral light rays in front of the retina, reducing hyperopic defocus |
Efficacy | ~59% reduction in myopia progression; ~60% reduction in axial elongation (2 years) | ~67% reduction in myopia progression; ~60% reduction in axial elongation (2 years) | ~30% reduction in myopia progression (1 year) |
Licensing | Available in 60+ countries worldwide | Available in Europe, Asia, and selected Americas | Widely available in Europe, Asia, and other global markets |
Years on Market | Launched in 2018 | Launched in 2020 | Introduced in 2010 |
Recommended Wear | Full-time wear for best results | Full-time wear for optimal efficacy | Full-time wear recommended |
Target Patients | Children requiring clear vision and myopia control | Children with progressive myopia seeking advanced optical solutions | Children with early-stage or moderate myopia |
Unique Features | Durable, child-friendly design; proven global adoption | Innovative HALT technology; advanced efficacy | Focus on ease of adaptation and comfort |

How they work
There are two things that we need to take care of when managing myopia and these specialist spectacles seek to address the following...

Correct the refractive error so that vision is clear

Alter the way the light is focussed in the eye to help control the elongation of the eyeball
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D.I.M.S.(Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) Technology spectacle lenses
MiYOSMART spectacle lenses manufactured by HOYA have been proved to slow down the progression of myopia by on average 60%. The spectacle lenses correct the refractive error (the prescription or power of the lenses needed to make eyesight clear) and have off-centre ‘micro lenslets’ that ensure the peripheral rays focus in front of the retina and not behind. This helps slow down or prevent eyeball elongation.
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MiYOSMART lenses manufactured by Hoya are highly effective at reducing myopia progression. The spectacle lenses can be seen in the image below.
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H.A.L.T – Highly Aspheric Lenslet Target
Essilor® Stellest® lenses provide vision correction and also control myopia progression via the Highly Aspherical Lenslets zone.
The H.A.L.T. technology creates a volume of non-focused light in front of the retina, which sends a signal to slow down the elongation of the eye. The Stellest lenses consist of 11 rings of contiguous lenslets, covering 40% of the lens surface. The shape and positioning of the lenslets is computed according to several geometrical and optical parameters.
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With the H.A.L.T. technology, Essilor Stellest lenses slow down myopia progression by 67% on average, compared to single vision lenses, when worn 12 hours a day(1)

Peripheral Aspheric Design
A peripheral aspheric design lens provides extra plus (convex or positive) focussing power by altering the curvature of the lens away from the centre. According to some studies, these lenses have not been as effective at reducing eyeball elongation.
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One example is the MyoCare® lenses which Zeiss manufactures.
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Bifocal and Multifocal Lenses
Essentially bifocals and varifocals are typically used by older people (from their mid-forties onwards) to allow them to read and see in the distance clearly.
With children, it’s been shown that the reduction in accommodation (the eyes focussing effort) helps to reduce the amount of accommodative lag and mechanical tension within the eye, plus also lowering peripheral hyperopic defocus blur. Studies have shown these can be effective at controlling the growth of the eyeball. The ‘accommodative lag theory’ of myopisation (eyeball growth) is an older and now less valued theory of why progressive myopia occurs.

Specialist Glasses

Advantages
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Wide prescription range can be treated
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Range of frame styles available
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Safe, with minimal risks of eye infections or complications.
Disadvantages
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More expensive than standard glasses due to their advanced features and technologies.
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Wearing glasses can sometimes pose challenges during certain physical activities or sports.

1 .Compared to single vision lenses, when worn by children at least 12 hours per day every day. Bao, J., Huang, Y., Li, X., Yang, A., Zhou, F., Wu, J., Wang, C., Li, Y., Lim, E.W., Spiegel, D.P., Drobe, B., Chen, H., 2022. Spectacle Lenses With Aspherical Lenslets for Myopia Control vs Single-Vision Spectacle Lenses: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 140(5), 472–478. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.0401