Comparing 7 Myopia Control Lenses for Children & Teens

Myopia management lenses are specially designed to not only correct blurry distance vision—but also to slow down the progression of myopia (short-sightedness) in children. Unlike conventional lenses, these options are backed by research and use specific lens designs that work to manage how the eye grows over time.

In this blog post, we compare seven clinically supported lenses we offer in-store and explain how each works to protect your child’s long-term vision.

👓 How Do Myopia Management Lenses Work?

While all myopia management lenses aim to slow the progression of short-sightedness, they don’t all work the same way.

Before diving into the lenses, let’s explore the three common types of lens designs:

• Peripheral Defocus: These lenses create a controlled blur or "defocus" in the peripheral vision, sending a signal to the eye to slow down growth.

• Progressive Addition: Gradual change in lens power from top to bottom, helping with focusing effort and reducing accommodative lag.

• Bifocal: Two distinct zones for distance and near vision, often with a visible line, reducing the stress of near work.

1. Essilor Stellest

Essilor Stellest lenses use H.A.L.T. technology, with highly aspherical lenslets arranged in concentric rings to form a volume of defocus in the periphery. This design sends a signal to slow eye growth while keeping vision clear in the center. It's one of the most researched options available today.

Research on Essilor Stellest lenses indicate that myopia progression is slowed down by 67% on average*¹ when compared to single vision lenses, when worn 12 hours per day every day for two consecutive years.

In addition, Essilor Stellest lenses are made from AIRWEAR polycarbonate (1.59 index) which provides impact-resistance and blocks 100% transmission of UV - a great option for active children.

About Essilor Stellest Lenses:

• Design: Peripheral defocus with aspherical lenslets
• Technology: H.A.L.T. (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target)
• Coatings: Crizal Rock / Crizal Prevencia
• Material: 1.59 polycarbonate
• Options: Clear or tinted

2. ZEISS MyoCare

MyoCare features C.A.R.E. technology—concentric alternating rings of correction and defocus from the center to the edge of the lens. Combined with ZEISS ClearFocus design, this structure provides a consistent myopia control signal throughout the day.

There are 2 designs available: ZEISS MyoCare and ZEISS MyoCare S. The default lens is a hard design variant with a smaller zone, recommended for children with myopia progression that is more rapid. Meanwhile, ZEISS MyoCare S has a softer design and a larger central clear zone, recommended for older children or when there is a need for easier adaptation.

Based on clinical studies, ZEISS MyoCare lenses has shown an average emmetropic progression ratio for axial length with an average of 70% and ZEISS MyoCare S, an average of 68%. ⁽⁴⁾

About ZEISS MyoCare Lenses:

• Design: Peripheral defocus with alternating functional zones
• Technology: ZEISS C.A.R.E. microstructure & ClearFocus design
• Coatings: DuraVision Platinum UV / BlueProtect UV
• Material: 1.59 or 1.67
• Options: Clear only

3. HOYA MiYOSMART

MiYOSMART uses D.I.M.S. technology—a central clear zone for distance vision surrounded by a ring of honeycomb-shaped defocus segments. This provides a continuous and effective signal to slow myopia progression.

A 2-year clinical study in Hong Kong showed that myopia progression slowed down on average by 60% in children that used MiYOSMART spectacle lenses, compared with regular single-vision spectacle lenses.² Similar results were seen in a UK-based clinical study.³

About HOYA MiYOSMART Lenses:

• Design: Peripheral defocus with D.I.M.S. segments
• Technology: D.I.M.S. (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments)
• Coatings: Blue Control / UV Control / Anti-Bacteria
• Material: 1.59 polycarbonate
• Options: Clear or photochromic

4. ZEISS MyoVision Pro

 MyoVision Pro combines clear central vision with a peripheral defocus zone. Its AgeFit Junior design ensures a good fit and comfort for children’s anatomy, while providing a defocus cue in the lens periphery.

About ZEISS MyoVision Pro:

• Design: Peripheral defocus with central clear vision
• Technology: AgeFit Junior Design
• Coatings: DuraVision Platinum UV / BlueProtect / AntiVirus
• Material: 1.50, 1.60, or 1.67
• Options: Clear or photochromic

5. ZEISS MyoKids

This progressive lens features a gradual shift in power from top to bottom, designed to reduce the focusing strain during near work. Its child-friendly AgeFit Junior design makes it comfortable for younger wearers.

About ZEISS MyoKids:

• Design: Progressive addition
• Technology: AgeFit Junior Design
• Coatings: DuraVision Platinum UV / BlueProtect / AntiVirus
• Material: 1.50, 1.60, or 1.67
• Options: Clear or photochromic

6. Essilor Myopilux Plus

Myopilux Plus uses a progressive addition design to reduce near vision stress. Though not suitable for children with certain binocular issues, it offers a seamless transition from distance to near tasks.

About Essilor Myoplilux Plus:

• Design: Progressive addition
• Considerations: Not ideal for children with binocular vision issues
• Coatings: Crizal Rock / Sapphire / Prevencia
• Material: 1.50, 1.59, 1.60, or 1.67
• Options: Clear or photochromic

7. Essilor Myopilux Max

Myopilux Max features a lined bifocal design, separating distance and near zones clearly. This design can be effective for myopia control but may be less aesthetically pleasing due to the visible line across the middle of the lenses. 

About Essilor Myoplilux Max:

• Design: Bifocal
• Considerations: Visible segment line, not as aesthetic
• Coatings: Crizal Rock / Sapphire / Prevencia
• Material: 1.59 polycarbonate
• Options: Clear only

Overview & Lens Comparisons

FAQ: What Parents Usually Ask

Q: How do these lenses compare to regular glasses?
Standard lenses only correct blurry vision. They don’t influence how the eye grows. Myopia management lenses, on the other hand, actively slow the progression of myopia using targeted peripheral defocus or near support—reducing long-term risks associated with high myopia.

Q: Which lenses look like “normal” glasses?
All except Myopilux MAX (bifocal) are cosmetically discreet. Stellest, MiYOSMART, and MyoCare look like regular single-vision lenses—no lines, no visible segments.

Q: Do any of these lenses darken in sunlight?
Yes! These lenses are available in photochromic (sun-activated) versions:

• MiYOSMART
• MyoVision PRO
• MyoKids
• Myopilux PRO

Q:  Which lenses are most impact-resistant for active kids?
Lenses made with polycarbonate (1.59 index)—such as Stellest, MiYOSMART and Myopilux MAX—are ideal for active children and offer built-in durability and UV protection.

Q: Which lenses offer the widest clear vision area?
Stellest, MyoCare, and MiYOSMART maintain a large clear central zone. PALs and bifocal lenses may have narrower reading or intermediate areas, which some children need time to adapt to.

More Than Just Lenses: Our Myopia Management Program

Our stores offer more than just lens fitting. Enrolling in our myopia management program includes:

• Regular follow-up eye checks

• Axial length monitoring to track eye growth

• Expert advice tailored to your child’s age, habits, and risk factors

We're committed to supporting your child's vision journey with the latest science and the best technology.

Make an appointment at our retail stores in Tampines & Orchard!

1) Raylite Optical Tampines

Address: 201-D Tampines Street 21 #01-1133

Singapore 524201

Nearest MRT: Tampines East MRT (DTL)

2) Raylite Optical Orchard

Address: Taste Orchard (Former OG Orchard Point)

160 Orchard Road #03-02 

Singapore 238842

Nearest MRT: Somerset MRT (NSL)

References: 

⁽¹⁾  Compared to single vision lenses, when worn 12 hours per day every day for
two consecutive years. 1. Bao J, Huang Y, Li X, Yang A, Zhou F, Wu J, Wang C,
Li Y, Lim EW, Spiegel DP, Drobe B, Chen, H. Spectacle lenses with aspherical
lenslets for myopia control vs single-vision spectacle lenses: a randomized
clinical trial. JAMA ophthalmology. 2022; lli0(5):Li 72-8.
doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2022.0li0l
⁽²⁾ Lam CSY, Tang WC, Tse DY, et al. Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses slow myopia progression: a 2-year randomised clinical trial. Br J Ophthalmol. 2020;104(3):363-8. DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-313739.

⁽³⁾ McCullough S, Barr H, Fulton J, et al. 2-Year Multi-Site Observational Study of MiYOSMART myopia control spectacle lenses in UK children:1-year results (Abstract). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2023;64(8):4945.
Ohlendorf, A., et al. (2024, May 5-9). Myopia control efficacy through Emmetropic Progression Ratio:1-year of spectacle wear with cylindrical annular refractive elements (CARE)
⁽⁴⁾ [Conference presentation abstract]. The Association for Research in Vision and OpthalmologyOphthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, United States.
EPR for ages 7-12 year old children as sample size for ages 6 and 13 was small. When the entire sample of 6 to 13 years were considered, EPR for ZEISS MyoCare was 71%.