Introduction: Seeing the Bigger Picture
Does your child sit very close to the television? Do they squint to see the board at school? Perhaps you have noticed that with each visit to the optician, their prescription for shortsightedness seems to get stronger. This is a familiar story for a growing number of parents. This condition, myopia, is more than just a simple inconvenience. It is now considered a global health issue, with some experts calling it a "myopia epidemic". In the past, the solution was straight forward: a pair of glasses to make blurry vision clear. But we now know that standard glasses, while necessary for sight, do not stop the underlying problem from getting worse. This progression is where the real risk lies. But what if you could do more than just correct your child’s vision? What if you could actively protect it? This is the goal of myopia control, a modern approach to children's eye care that aims to slow down the progression of short-sightedness. At Belson & Sons, a family run practice with roots in our community for nearly seventy years, we are dedicated to offering the most advanced solutions to protect your family's eye health. That is why we are proud to be specialists in myopia control in children and to offer the revolutionary Essilor Stellest spectacle lens. This guide will walk you through what myopia is, why it is a concern, and the groundbreaking technology we use to give your child the gift of clearer, healthier vision for life.
What Exactly is Myopia?
Myopia, or short-sightedness, is an eye condition that causes distant objects to appear blurry, while close-up objects remain clear. In a 'normal' eye, light enters and is focused perfectly onto the retina, a light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, much like the film in a camera. In a myopic eye, this process goes wrong. This usually happens for one or two reasons (or a combination of both): • The eyeball has grown too long (this is called axial elongation). • The cornea (the clear front surface) is too curved. Because the eyeball is too long, light is focused in front of the retina, instead of directly on it. This "error" is what causes distant objects (like the school board or a road sign) to look fuzzy.
The Problem with Standard Glasses
For decades, we have corrected this error with standard single-vision lenses. These lenses do an excellent job of refocusing the central light onto the retina, allowing your child to see clearly. However, research has revealed a significant problem. While these lenses fix central vision, they can unintentionally affect peripheral vision (what your child sees out of the corner of their eye). These lenses can cause peripheral light to focus behind the retina. This is called peripheral hyperopic defocus. The eye interprets this peripheral blur as a signal that it is "not long enough" to catch the light, which can then stimulate the eyeball to grow even longer to try and "catch up" to this false focus point. In short: standard glasses may correct today's blur but could be inadvertently contributing to the progression of myopia tomorrow.
Why is "Myopia Control in Children" So Important?
This is the single most important question a parent can ask. The answer is simple: myopia is not just a vision problem; it is a long-term eye health risk. A child whose prescription is -1.00D at age 8 may progress to -3.00D by age 12 and -6.00D by age 18. This progression is what we are fighting to slow down. When a prescription becomes very strong (typically -6.00D or more), it is classified as "high myopia". This is where the risks become serious. Think of the eyeball like a balloon. As it elongates (stretches) with progressing myopia, the delicate tissues inside, like the retina, are stretched thinner and thinner. This 'stretching' dramatically increases the lifetime risk of developing sight-threatening conditions:
• Retinal Detachment: The retina is stretched so thin that it can tear or pull away from the back of the eye, which is a medical emergency that can lead to blindness. The risk is 21 times higher in those with high myopia.
• Myopic Maculopathy (MM): This is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in adults. The stretching causes damage to the macula, the vital central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. The risk is 40 times higher in high myopia.
• Glaucoma: This is damage to the optic nerve, often linked to eye pressure. The changes in a highly myopic eye's structure increase the risk of glaucoma by 3 times.
• Cataracts: High myopia is linked to developing cataracts (a clouding of the eye's lens) earlier in life.
The goal of myopia control in children is to put the brakes on this progression. By slowing it down, we aim to keep your child's final prescription at a much lower, safer level. Every single dioptre we can "save" significantly reduces their future risk of these serious complications.
What Causes Childhood Myopia?
Why is myopia becoming so common? It is a complex mix of two main factors:
1. Genetics (Nature) There is a strong genetic link. If one parent is myopic, their child has a 3 times greater risk. If both parents are myopic, the risk is 6 times greater. This is a factor we cannot change.
2. Environment (Nurture) This is the factor that has changed dramatically in recent decades and is thought to be driving the "epidemic".
3. Lack of Outdoor Time: This is the most significant environmental factor. Research is clear: children who spend more time outdoors (at least 90 minutes to 2 hours a day) have a much lower risk of developing myopia. It is not about the activity but the light. The bright, ambient light outdoors is believed to stimulate the release of dopamine in the retina, which acts as a "stop" signal for eye elongation.
4. Prolonged Near Work: Modern life involves hours of "near work" - reading, homework, and especially screen time on tablets and phones. This sustained closeup focus is believed to put stress on the eye's focusing system and may encourage eye growth. We cannot change our genetics, but we can manage our environment. This is why myopia control is a two-part strategy: advanced lenses and positive lifestyle changes.
A Breakthrough Solution: Essilor Stellest Lenses
This is where technology provides an incredible answer. At Belson & Sons , we have chosen the Essilor Stellest lens as our preferred solution for myopia management in children This is not just a spectacle lens. It is a sophisticated piece of medical technology. It is designed to do two crucial jobs at the same time:
- To Correct (See Clearly Now) The lens has a central "single vision" zone. This is what your child looks through for their main vision. It corrects their myopia perfectly, just like a standard lens, providing sharp, clear sight.
- To Control (Slow the Progression) This is the revolutionary part. Surrounding this central zone is a "constellation" of 1,021 invisible micro-lenslets. This is Essilor's patented H.A.L.T. Technology (Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target).
These lenslets take the peripheral light (which standard glasses misfocus) and create a "volume of signal" in front of the retina, not behind it. This "stop signal" effectively eliminates the "peripheral hyperopic defocus" we discussed earlier. It tells the eye, "There is no need to grow longer; the light is already where it should be." This signal is the key to slowing down the eye's elongation. The Results Speak for Themselves The two-year clinical trial for Essilor Stellest lenses produced outstanding results. When worn for at least 12 hours a day, these lenses were proven to:
• Slow down myopia progression by 67% on average compared to children wearing standard single-vision lenses.
• Stop the eye from elongating (axial growth) in nearly 3 out of 10 children after the first year
Benefits for Your Child and You
• It's Non-Invasive: It is just a pair of glasses. There are no eye drops, no daily insertion/removal routines like with contact lenses, and no surgery.
• It's Easy: For you and your child, it is as simple as wearing their glasses. They are comfortable, lightweight, and provide excellent vision.
• It's Aesthetically Clear: The "constellation" of lenses is virtually invisible, so the glasses look just like any other pair.
• It's Effective: You are giving your child a solution that is clinically proven to be one of the most effective ways to manage myopia progression.
Why Belson & Sons is Your Partner in Myopia Control
Myopia control is not a one-off sale; it is a long-term partnership in your child's health. As a third-generation family team, Belson & Sons has been the trusted eyecare provider for communities in Essex and London for nearly seventy years. We combine this legacy of personal, family-focused care with a commitment to investing in the most advanced, stateof-the-art technology. When you come to us for myopia control, you are not just getting a pair of glasses. You are getting a comprehensive management programme from a team you know and trust.
• Our expert optometrists will conduct a thorough assessment, discuss your child's specific needs and lifestyle, and create a personalised plan. This includes:
• Expert Fitting: Ensuring the Essilor Stellest lenses are fitted perfectly, which is critical for the technology to work.
• Lifestyle Advice: We will give you practical, achievable tips on balancing screen time with essential outdoor play to support the lens's work.
• Regular Monitoring: We will see your child for regular follow-ups to monitor their prescription and ensure the treatment is working effectively
We are proud to serve our local communities and are ready to help you at any of our four practices:
• London Docklands
• Pitsea
• Witham
• Corringham
Your Next Step: A Clearer Future
The evidence is clear: myopia is a health condition that can and should be managed proactively. The best time to start myopia control is as soon as it is detected, as the greatest progression often happens in the first few years. Do not wait for your child's next prescription to get stronger. Take the first step towards protecting their long-term vision. Book a "Myopia Consultation" or a Comprehensive Child's Eye Examination at your local Belson & Sons practice today. Let our family help yours see a clearer, healthier future.