A rigid lens showing excessive apical pooling is an indication of what type of fit?

Excessive apical pooling in a rigid contact lens indicates a steep fit. When a lens is considered steeply fit, it means that the curvature of the lens is sharper than that of the cornea. This results in increased tear exchange underneath the lens, leading to pooling of tears accumulating at the apex (the center) of the lens.

In this scenario, the pooling suggests that the fit is too tight against the cornea, preventing optimal movement and potentially causing discomfort. A steep fit may result in limited airflow and could impact the health of the cornea if not monitored properly, as corneal edema might occur due to reduced oxygen permeability.

In contrast, a flat fit would suggest that the lens does not adequately conform to the curvature of the cornea, leading to inadequate apical pooling, while an even or standard fit indicates a more balanced contact lens curvature that evenly distributes pressure across the corneal surface without excessive pooling. Thus, the signs of excessive apical pooling distinctly point to a steep fit.