New Delhi, April 27, 2026: EssilorLuxottica has announced that its Essilor® Stellest® lens has received U.S. FDA market authorization, making it the first spectacle lens in India designed to slow myopia progression in children.
The development marks a significant step in addressing the growing burden of myopia in India, where nearly 50% of urban children are projected to be affected by 2050, while currently around one in four children already have the condition.
According to clinical data, the Essilor® Stellest® lens has been shown to slow myopia progression by 71% on average over two years compared to standard single-vision lenses. The product had earlier been designated as a Breakthrough Technology by the FDA in 2021 and later received market authorization through the De Novo pathway.
The company aims to expand access to this solution across India, initially focusing on metro cities and emerging urban hubs such as Pune, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Chandigarh, with plans to extend availability to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities through partnerships with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and optical networks.
With myopia often going undiagnosed due to the lack of routine eye testing, the company is also emphasising the need for early detection and regular eye check-ups among children. Unlike conventional lenses that correct vision, myopia control lenses are designed to slow disease progression and reduce long-term risks.
Commenting on the development, Dr. Kunal Srivastava, Director Medical & Professional Affairs at EssilorLuxottica India, said, “For decades, FDA approval has become synonymous with international standards of care in Indian medical practice. Doctors, hospitals, and patients often view FDA approval as the ultimate mark of clinical credibility. This lens technology evolves the traditional corrective lenses into a true medical treatment, and it marks the beginning of a new era for eyecare professionals in addressing myopia.”
Venu Ambati, President, India at EssilorLuxottica, added, “This is an extremely significant milestone for Essilor® Stellest® in India. It reinforces Essilor® Stellest® as the gold standard in myopia management, strengthening trust among doctors, parents, and institutions. Myopia progression in children requires timely and informed decisions; delaying intervention can have lifelong consequences for eye health. Essilor® Stellest® addresses this critical parental need by enabling myopia control at the right time, when progression is first detected. Backed by strong clinical evidence and US FDA market authorization, Essilor® Stellest® is not just a lens—it is an investment in a child’s future eye health. At a time when myopia is emerging as a global epidemic, this innovation represents a major milestone in our Group’s mission to empower families to take proactive control of their children’s visual health.”
EssilorLuxottica has been investing in myopia research for over four decades, with Essilor® Stellest® now available in multiple global markets and used by millions of children worldwide.
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