CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France—Essilor yesterday announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted “Breakthrough Device” designation to its Essilor Stellest spectacle lens, the company’s new generation lens developed to correct myopia and slow down the progression of myopia in children. The designation of the Essilor’s Stellest spectacle lens as a “Breakthrough Device” by the FDA, that will lead to further U.S. research and FDA review, builds on the publication of groundbreaking two-year results of an ongoing three-year clinical trial, in China, in myopic children.

After the first year, the trial results demonstrated that the eye growth of 9 out of 10 children wearing the Essilor Stellest lens was similar or slower than non-myopic children. While after two years, Essilor Stellest lens has been proven to be among the most effective myopia control solutions which have ever been tested, Essilor said in a statement.

“The 'Breakthrough Device' designation for our Essilor Stellest lens is a great achievement and an illustration of its potential in slowing down the progression of myopia in children,” commented Norbert Gorny, chief operating officer and chief research and development officer of Essilor International. “This designation represents an important milestone in our fight against the myopia pandemic. We look forward to working closely with the FDA for further clinical study and review, so we can provide the benefit of Essilor Stellest to U.S. children who continue to be at risk of vision-threatening complications due to high myopia.”
 
The Breakthrough Devices Program by the FDA is intended to provide patients and health care professionals with timely access to medical devices that offer more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions by speeding up their development, assessment and review. After a successful launch in China and other countries since 2020 with extremely positive response from eyecare professionals, Essilor intends to further rollout Essilor Stellest in other countries.