Which alteration would likely address an observed edge lift in a soft lens fitting?

Addressing an observed edge lift in a soft lens fitting can be effectively managed by steepening the base curve. When a contact lens exhibits edge lift, it signifies that the peripheral edges of the lens are not adequately conforming to the shape of the cornea, creating a gap that can lead to discomfort and compromised vision. By steepening the base curve, the curvature of the lens becomes closer to the natural curvature of the eye. This change enhances the lens's centration and helps in achieving a more stable fit, which in turn can minimize or eliminate the edge lift.

On the other hand, increasing the lens thickness would not necessarily address the fitting issue; it often has the opposite effect, potentially exacerbating discomfort or altering lens movement on the eye. Adjusting the lens power does not influence the fitting relationship between the lens and the cornea, so it would not effectively resolve edge lift. Lastly, changing to a larger lens diameter could improve the overall fit in some scenarios, but if the base curve is still inadequate, this alteration may not sufficiently correct the problem related to edge lift. Thus, steepening the base curve directly targets the root cause of the fitting issue.