- The Avizor Ever Clean Plus is a peroxide system for disinfecting and storing contact lenses.
- The system uses hydrogen peroxide, which is neutralised in the supplied container using a neutralising tablet.
- Once the full neutralisation time has elapsed, the solution is no longer corrosive and the lens can be inserted.
- Unneutralised peroxide must never come into contact with the eye, and that is the most important point to emphasise in your instructions to the wearer.
- Please refer to the Avizor product documentation for details on neutralisation time, composition, pack size and suitability for each lens material.
The Avizor Ever Clean Plus is a peroxide system, which means that the explanation given to the wearer needs to be slightly more detailed than with an all-in-one solution. Your colleague behind the counter will usually know what peroxide is, but the main question is what exactly you explain and where the limits of your advice lie. A peroxide system disinfects effectively, but uses a solution that you would never want to get directly into the eye. That’s why the instructions are just as important as the product itself. In this article, we’ll go through the mechanism of action, suitability, safety and over-the-counter advice for Avizor Ever Clean Plus. The specifications are taken from the manufacturer’s product documentation, so that your advice matches what is stated on the packaging.
What is the Avizor Ever Clean Plus?
The Avizor Ever Clean Plus is a peroxide system for disinfecting and storing contact lenses. The system consists of a peroxide solution and a corresponding container in which the peroxide is neutralised. You reinsert the lenses once the full neutralisation time has elapsed. Avizor markets the system within the European Union as a medical device, with instructions for use setting out the steps and timings.
Within the care category, the system falls under the peroxide range, alongside all-in-one solutions and products for rigid gas-permeable lenses. The AVIZOR brand is a European manufacturer of lens care products. The product information for Ever Clean Plus describes the components and packaging options. If you’d like to refresh your memory on exactly what a storage solution does, read about what lens solution is. After that, it’s easier to explain the difference between this and a peroxide system to the wearer.
How does the Ever Clean Plus’s peroxide system work?
The system works with hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide is an oxidising agent that inactivates microorganisms on the lens. The neutraliser then converts the peroxide, leaving behind a liquid that is no longer corrosive. This neutralisation process takes time, and the duration is specified in the Avizor instructions for use. Only then should the lens be removed from the case and inserted into the eye.
The steps, when carried out in the correct order, are simple, but the order is the whole point. The wearer places the lenses in the case, fills it with fresh solution and adds the neutralising tablet. The case must then remain closed for the full neutralisation time. According to the product information, the system neutralises the lenses in around two hours, but the instructions for use included with the packaging should always be followed. Only once that time has elapsed should the lens be placed on the eye. Proper disinfection is no trivial matter, as research into corneal infections shows that incorrect lens care plays a role in serious eye problems.
Which lenses is the Ever Clean Plus suitable for?
Peroxide systems are used for soft contact lenses and for rigid gas-permeable lenses. Whether Ever Clean Plus is suitable for a particular lens material is stated in Avizor’s product documentation. Always check this information for scleral lenses and lenses with a surface treatment. For scleral lenses, there is a separate variant within the same product range. This helps ensure that a wearer does not take home a system that is not suitable for their lenses.
A quick check helps with advice: look at the lens material, the lens size and the manufacturer’s specifications for each lens type. With large lenses, the volume of the case is also a factor. For scleral lenses, refer to the scleral lens variant within the same range. If in doubt about a specific material, follow the manufacturer’s specifications rather than assuming that peroxide is always suitable for everything.
When should you opt for Ever Clean Plus in practice?
In practice, a peroxide system is an option when a wearer continues to experience discomfort with an all-in-one solution, or when you wish to rule out sensitivity to ingredients in storage solutions. Peroxide is also considered for wearers who experience significant build-up on their lenses. The choice remains a case-by-case assessment for each wearer, based on your findings during the follow-up examination and the manufacturer’s specifications.
When making your choice, take adherence into account. A system with a waiting period requires more discipline than an all-in-one solution, as the lens may only be removed after the neutralisation period has elapsed. For a motivated wearer, this is not a problem; for someone who is often in a hurry, it is something to bear in mind. Always assess the symptoms yourself first and identify the cause, so that you know whether a different care system is really the solution.
What should you bear in mind when using Ever Clean Plus?
Peroxide must never come into contact with the eye undiluted. You should therefore always use the container supplied with the system and observe the full neutralisation time. Do not rinse lenses with the peroxide solution and do not use the solution as eye drops. If undiluted peroxide does come into contact with the eye, the wearer should rinse the eye thoroughly immediately and contact an optician or ophthalmologist.
In addition, the standard guidelines from the product documentation apply: store the bottles in accordance with the storage conditions on the packaging, observe the use-by date and note the shelf life after opening. The case also has its own replacement interval. You should refer to the Avizor instructions for use for this information. If eye symptoms persist, refer the patient for further assessment; go through the steps to take in the event of symptoms with the wearer and bear potential complications in mind.
How do you explain Ever Clean Plus to the wearer?
Keep the over-the-counter instructions brief and to the point. Explain that the lenses should be placed in the supplied case, that the case should be filled with fresh solution after each use, and that the lenses should not be removed until the full neutralisation time has elapsed. Mention that the neutralising solution is corrosive. Provide the instructions for use and highlight the replacement interval for the case.
A five-step guide for wearers to follow: wash your hands, place the lenses in the case, fill with fresh solution and add the tablet, leave the case closed for the full neutralisation time, then insert the lenses. The two most common mistakes are putting the lenses in too early and reusing the case without fresh solution. Both can be avoided with clear instructions and by following general hygiene rules, such as always washing your hands and never using tap water.
How Ever Clean Plus fits into your care routine
A range of care products works best when each system has its own specific role. The Ever Clean Plus complements the peroxide range, alongside the all-in-one solutions for soft lenses and the products for rigid gas-permeable lenses. For scleral lenses, there is a separate variant within the same range. This allows you to switch between products for each wearer without having to refer them to a different brand.
The available pack sizes can be found in the Ever Clean Plus product information and in the overview of the peroxide systems in the range. You can get a complete picture of the brand by viewing all AVIZOR products. As a distributor of medical devices, we provide the mandatory usage information for every product; the relevant guidelines are set out by the IGJ regarding sales and distribution. View the product information, log in to place a business order and discuss the application with our team. You can also quickly reorder for business use straight away.
This information is of a general nature and is not a substitute for personal advice. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. If you have any complaints or concerns, consult your contact lens specialist, optician or (eye) doctor.
Frequently asked questions about Avizor Ever Clean Plus
Can you use a peroxide system in combination with an all-in-one solution?
Combining products is only permitted if both manufacturers allow this in their instructions for use. In practice, you should use one system per wearer, so that the steps do not get mixed up and the wearer does not become confused. Using two systems side by side increases the risk of errors, such as putting the wrong solution into the peroxide container. When switching systems, clearly explain which product is no longer required and which container is being replaced. Provide the new instructions for use and go through the steps together once. This keeps the care routine straightforward for the wearer and reduces the risk of incorrect use.
Can the peroxide system container be filled with saline?
No. Saline is a salt solution used for rinsing and does not disinfect. Filling the case with saline therefore removes the disinfection step from the process, even though the lens appears to come out clean. Only use the solution specified by the manufacturer in the case, together with the corresponding neutralising tablet. Saline does have a role to play in lens care – for example, to rinse a lens when permitted – but not as a storage or disinfectant solution. Explain this distinction at the counter, as this is precisely where things often go wrong in practice. If in doubt, follow the system’s instructions for use.
How often should the case for a peroxide system be replaced?
The case has its own replacement interval, as specified by the manufacturer. This interval is linked to the effectiveness of the neutralisation process, so continuing to use an old case is not an option. A worn-out case can affect the neutralisation process, leaving residual peroxide behind. You should therefore include the replacement period in your counter instructions and remind the wearer of this whenever they purchase a new pack. Check the exact replacement period in the Avizor product documentation, as this may vary depending on the pack size or variant. Advise the wearer to use a new holder as soon as the specified replacement period has been reached, even if the old holder still looks in good condition.
What should you do if a wearer removes the lens from its case too early?
A lens that comes out of the case before the end of the neutralisation time may still contain unneutralised peroxide. The lens must not be inserted at this stage, as this can cause a burning sensation and irritation. Advise the wearer to restart the process using fresh solution and a new tablet, and to wait for the full neutralisation time to elapse. If the lens has already been placed on the eye and symptoms occur, advise the wearer to rinse the eye thoroughly immediately and contact an optician or ophthalmologist. Emphasise in your explanation that the waiting time is not a guideline but a requirement. This will prevent haste from leading to a painful experience.
Can you use Ever Clean Plus for scleral lenses?
Scleral lenses are larger, so the case and volume must be suitable. Within the same product range, there is a separate variant for scleral lenses. When choosing, follow the manufacturer’s specifications for each lens type, as these determine which system is suitable for which lens. For scleral lens wearers, thorough disinfection is particularly important, as the lens rests on the eye for longer and is larger. You should therefore not give advice based on gut feeling, but on the product documentation. If you are unsure whether the standard Plus or the scleral variant is suitable, choose the system specified by the manufacturer for that lens type and explain your choice to the wearer.
Does a peroxide system also remove protein and lipid deposits?
The manufacturer’s product documentation explains what a system does in addition to disinfecting. Some peroxide systems contain ingredients that also aid cleaning, but the extent to which they do so varies from product to product. For heavier protein and lipid deposits, there are separate cleaners which you use on their own. During the follow-up check, assess whether the lens is still being cleaned sufficiently, as a lens that remains dull or fogged up requires an extra cleaning step. Do not advise the wearer to rub harder, but to use the correct product. This way, you keep the lens clean without damaging the material. If deposits persist, you should also check the replacement schedule for the lens itself.
Can peroxide solution be used to rinse a lens before inserting it?
No. Rinsing with peroxide solution is not part of the intended use and exposes the eye to a corrosive liquid. The peroxide is only safe once the neutralisation process has been fully completed in the container. For rinsing, use a product intended for this purpose, such as a suitable saline solution, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Explain to the wearer that the final step before inserting the lenses is never to rinse with the peroxide solution itself. This mistake stems from the belief that the solution cleans the lenses, whereas in its bottle form it is actually unprocessed and corrosive. A clear explanation prevents a painful mistake in this instance.
How do you store peroxide in practice?
Store the bottles in accordance with the storage conditions stated on the packaging, away from light and out of the reach of children. In your practice stock, check the expiry date and the shelf life after opening. You should take these details from the Avizor product documentation. Keep your stock organised by expiry date, so that you use the oldest packs first. Provide the wearer with the same instructions for use at home: store in a cool, dark place and do not use the bottle after the specified period. This ensures the product remains effective until the end of its shelf life. If you are unsure about the storage conditions for a specific variant, follow the instructions on the packaging.
What should you bear in mind for wearers with sensitive eyes?
First assess the symptoms yourself and identify the cause, as dryness, wearing time and environmental factors all play a part. A different care system may be part of the solution, but is not automatically the solution. Examine the tear film, the lens material and the wearing pattern before simply changing the solution. If the wearer is sensitive to ingredients in storage solutions, a peroxide system may offer a solution, as it leaves behind a simple solution after neutralisation. If the symptoms persist, refer the patient for further investigation. Explain to the wearer that comfort and eye health are assessed together, and that changing products only makes sense if that is the cause of the problem.
What does the CE mark on a care product mean?
The CE mark means that the manufacturer declares that the product complies with European requirements for medical devices. The product must therefore be accompanied by mandatory usage information and warnings. Keep this information and pass it on to the wearer, as it forms part of the device. As a distributor, the sale and supply of these products are subject to the regulations governing medical devices. The marking indicates compliance with the regulations, not suitability for an individual wearer; that assessment remains the responsibility of the healthcare professional. When purchasing, check that the mandatory user information is present and supplied in the correct language.
