An evaluation of the 8.4 mm and the 8.8 mm base curve radii in the Ciba NewVe vs. the Vistakon Acuvue

As practitioners, we have often fit soft contact lenses using the medium or flattest base curve radius as our first choice of base curve radius; however, it is important to realize that identical base curve radii in different lens materials may fit differently. In addition, the flattest or medium base curve radius may not always provide optimal comfort. When fitting soft lenses, it is important to achieve a good fit and provide good performance. In this study, completed at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, School of Optometry, the NewVue (Ciba Vision Corp.) and the Acuvue (Vistakon) 8.4 and 8.8 mm base curve radii were compared based on comfort, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, lens movement, and ease of handling in a double-blind study. The results showed that subjects performed similarly among NewVue and Acuvue lenses. The Acuvue 8.4 mm base curve radius was perceived as being more comfortable than the patient's current contact lenses and showed optimal centration and best distance Snellen visual acuity. The Acuvue 8.8 mm base curve radius showed optimal lens movement. The NewVue 8.4 mm base curve radius showed optimal lens movement and demonstrated excellent handling and lens centration. The NewVue 8.8 mm base curve radius demonstrated excellent lens handling. When fitting a disposable contact lens candidate, our first choice for lens selection would be the Acuvue 8.8 mm base curve radius or the NewVue 8.4 mm base curve radius. If these lenses are not adequate, appropriate changes may be made.