Myopia, the medical term for nearsightedness, affects around 40% of the U.S. population and prevalence is increasing rapidly among children and adolescents, the FDA said. When the chronic disease progresses to high myopia, people are at greater risk of sight-threatening complications such as retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, glaucoma and cataracts later in life.

The Essilor Stellest eyeglass lenses are designed to slow myopia progression in children. The lenses have a clear 9mm diameter area in the center. Rings of tiny raised dots surround the clear center to defocus peripheral light. Studies suggest blurring side vision may slow eye growth and limit myopia.