What illumination is best used to view edge lift of soft lenses?

The optimal method for assessing edge lift of soft contact lenses is through the technique known as Sclerotic Scatter. This illumination technique utilizes a broad beam of light and is particularly effective in revealing the contour and fit of soft lenses by providing a clear view of the lens-horn interface.

When using Sclerotic Scatter, the light reflects off the corneal tear prism, which effectively highlights any gaps or unevenness at the lens edges. This allows practitioners to see how well the lens is conforming to the contours of the eye and to identify any areas where the lens may not be adequately seated, facilitating the assessment of comfort and proper fit.

While other illumination techniques such as direct or retro illumination can provide useful information about lens positioning and movement, they do not specifically highlight edge lift as effectively as Sclerotic Scatter does. Using this method enables better understanding and adjustment of lens fit based on the observed edge lift characteristics.