Stellest 2.0 six-month trial results, AI in design, and dry eye treatments

From interim clinical trial results to new models for lens designs, innovation was a focus of conversation at the EssilorLuxottica press day last month (13 October, Kensington).

Earlier this autumn, EssilorLuxottica released the six-month interim results from its ongoing randomised, double-masked clinical trial evaluating Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses in children with myopia.

The trial compares the Essilor Stellest 2.0 lens with a single vision control group.

At this stage, the trial has found that at six months the Essilor Stellest 2.0 lenses achieved treatment effects, compared to single vision lenses, of 0.51D for myopia progression and 0.21mm for axial elongation on average.

Charlotte Timbury, director of medical and professional affairs for EssilorLuxottica, North Europe, told OT: “Interim results from the clinical trial showed us that the amount of myopia progression saved is comparable to a year of wearing Essilor Stellest first generation.”

With myopia progression remaining close to 0D on average after six months of the trial, Timbury highlighted: “We can say that these are really reassuring results showing that the lens is effective.”

The Essilor Stellest lenses feature highly aspherical lenslet target technology, while in Stellest 2.0 the mean power and asphericity across the lenslets has been increased to provide a stronger optical signal to slow down axial elongation. An extra ring of lenslets has also been incorporated into the design.

Additionally, the trial showed positive results in patient adaptation and compliance with Essilor Stellest 2.0, with 98% of children fully adapting to the lens after one week.

Over 90% of children in both groups of the trial wore their spectacles for more than 12 hours per day, seven days a week.

Timbury said: “There were no drop-outs, which is really important to consider because if you are increasing the asphericity of the treatment zones and the power of the lenslets, you need to make sure it is comfortable for children to wear. But there were no issues with adaptation.”

Key to this has been keeping the 9mm central zone of the lens the same between the Essilor Stellest lenses, making it easy for children to switch from the first generation to the second.

When it comes to adaption to the lenses, Timbury suggested the six-month interim trial data can support conversations in practice.

Timbury highlighted: “With any children’s lens – not just myopia – the recommendation is still to make sure the frame is suitable, the fit is good, they are comfortable, the child is not looking over them, and that they have regular check-ups.”

“When fitting well and centred, there is no reason why the child should not get on with them as they would a single vision lens. It might take a day or two to adjust to, but we’re confident that they will get there, in the same way as if there is a normal prescription change in a single vision lens,” she added.

Parents should be encouraged to keep on top of any required adjustments, rather than waiting for the next appointment, Timbury noted.

For practitioners introducing families to the Stellest lenses, Timbury emphasised: “Our recommendation is still the same. If this is a child’s first time in myopia management, I would personally put them straight into Stellest 2.0, especially if their risk factors are slightly higher – myopic parents, lots of time spent indoors, for example.”

“If a child is wearing any other myopia management solution and they are still getting a bit of progression – we know some can be normal but if we feel it is a bit more than we would expect – you can move them into the Stellest 2.0, no matter what option they were using before,” she added.

The randomised clinical trial is set to run for two years, with more data available at the one-year stage.

This builds on a separate 12-month contralateral crossover study which compared the Essilor Stellest first generation lens with the Essilor Stellest 2.0.

Discussing the importance of these datasets and comparing the Essilor Stellest 2.0 with single vision lenses, Timbury said: “At the moment we can state how much more effective Stellest 2.0 is than the first generation – after a year we will be able to state how effective it is against a single vision lens so patients and parents can make their own decisions.”

AI-powered dynamic design

Essilor has also lifted the lid on a new “dynamic” artificial intelligence (AI) design system for its Varilux XR series, aiming to meet evolving needs.

Asked if visual behaviours are changing more rapidly, Timbury shared: “We’ve been talking about working distances for years but it’s evolving more than that because it used to be just a phone – now we do everything up close, we use more digital devices.”

She continued: “I think lifestyles are certainly changing, particularly in the way we read. We scan a lot more than we used to. We might read off at a side because we’re reading multiple things, such as having two phones on the go and then skipping between them. We’re not reading necessarily right in front of us and how we are holding the material can result in changes to head positioning.”

In contrast, society is also seeing a trend towards more analogue forms of media.

Timbury highlighted that this indicates a necessity for flexibility in designing lenses for wearer working distances.

“The ultimate aim is taking more up-to-date data to incorporate into a lens that more closely matches a patient’s reading behaviours,” she said.

The introduction of the new model is not a new lens or re-launch, Timbury emphasised, but “an enhancement to an already very good lens in the Varilux XR series.”

The lens, launched in 2023, was designed through the use of behavioural AI.

With the new Living Intelligence system, Timbury explained: “Instead of using static AI, it uses dynamic AI which means its changing more often and the amount of data points is significantly increased.”

Data is drawn from wearer trials, learned information, existing internal trials, research and development, order parameters, and external trials.

This means that EssilorLuxottica’s research and development team will continue to evolve the technology behind Varilux XR series, ensuring the lens is tailored to the changing lifestyles of wearers.

When it comes to discussing the technology behind Varilux XR series with patients, Timbury noted: “Ultimately, they need to know how it is going to benefit their life.”

This can look like acknowledging how visual and lifestyle needs are changing, and assuring patients: “We can give you a lens to evolve with those needs. You don’t have to match the lens, the lens will match your natural movements and behaviour,” she said.

Dual light therapy for dry eye

OT also received a demonstration of the eye-light dual light therapy device for dry eye and ocular surface disease management by Espansione Group.

The device combines Optimal Power Energy intense pulsed light (IPL) with Light Modulation low-level light therapy for targeted and condition-specific management of a range of ocular surface diseases.

Application can be dual light therapy or photobiomodulation as a stand-alone offering, the company said. Treatment is delivered through a course of up to four sessions, each lasting approximately 15 minutes.

Essilor Instruments added the eye-light to its equipment portfolio in April 2026 and is the sole distributor for the optometry sector in the UK and Ireland.

Muhammad Imran, ophthalmic product and training specialist at Essilor Instruments, shared that eye-light can be beneficial for patients at any stage of their dry eye journey: “The combination dual-light therapy has been shown to offer a highly effective, comfortable management that alleviates dry eye symptoms and improves patient comfort from the first session.”

“PBM works at a biological level with various ocular structures and so has a wide-ranging effect for many anterior eye conditions,” he said.

Imran highlighted the need for “robust” diagnostics before offering any therapy, alongside a detailed history and symptoms.

“Having this information will give you the best grounding to discuss the most effective management for them as well as managing their expectations for the process,” he said.