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Google Trends Analysis of Interest in Pediatric Myopia-Control Spectacle Lenses Following FDA Authorization of
Arbaaz S Gill1, Connor C Tseng1, Patrick S Burke2
1Ophthalmology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Purpose:
To quantify changes in US public interest in pediatric myopia-control spectacle lenses surrounding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization of Essilor Stellest (Essilor, Charenton-le-Pont, France) (September 25, 2025).
Methods:
Weekly U.S. Google Trends relative search volume (RSV) data were collected for 2025 for parent-facing and brand-specific pediatric myopia-control spectacle lens search terms, with MiSight-related searches analyzed as a contemporaneous comparator. Search terms were selected a priori to capture both direct interest in the Stellest product and broader public interest in pediatric myopia-control spectacle lenses. A composite interest index was constructed by averaging RSV values for the following terms: "stellest", "stellest lenses", "essilor", "essilor stellest", "myopia control glasses", "pediatric myopia glasses", and "HALT lens". To account for general seasonality in children's eyewear searches, a baseline index was generated using the mean RSV of "kids glasses", "children's glasses", and "eyeglasses for kids", and a normalized interest ratio (composite ÷ baseline) was calculated. Pre- and post-authorization differences were compared using two-sided p-values.
Results:
From 2025-01-05 to 2025-10-26 (37 pre- and six post-weeks), mean composite interest rose from 9.39 pre to 18.6 post (absolute +9.21, +98%; p = 0.024). The mean ratio to baseline increased from 0.353 to 0.694 (absolute +0.34, +96.3%; p = 0.016). MiSight-related searches remained stable over the same period, supporting a modality-specific response to Stellest authorization.
Conclusions:
Public search interest in pediatric myopia-control spectacle lenses increased markedly following FDA authorization of Essilor Stellest, with normalization suggesting growth beyond seasonal effects. These findings demonstrate increased online search activity surrounding pediatric myopia-control spectacles after authorization, which may help clinicians anticipate heightened patient and parent inquiries, although search interest does not directly reflect awareness, clinical adoption, or prescribing behavior.
