Abstract:
Methods and devices are disclosed for removing debris from an eye. The methods and devices may be used to treat ocular disorders such as blepharitis, meibomitis, and dry eye. The devices include a scrubbing strip coupled to a support. The support may include a sleeve configured to fit over the end of a finger or the distal end portion of a mechanical device. The scrubbing strip is utilized to contact debris located on an eyelid margin to remove debris from the eye.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to methods and devices for removing debris from an eye to treat an ocular disorder. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Ocular disorders such as those relating to eyelid margin disease are particularly common pathological conditions of the ocular adenexa. By way of example, these disorders include blepharitis, meibomitis, and dry eye syndrome. Despite advances in ophthalmology and medical treatments in general, until recently, the recommended treatments for these exemplary common ocular disorders has remained essentially unchanged for decades. 
         [0003]    Historically, treatment of eyelid margin disease begins and ends with the patient. The patient first begins to notice symptoms including eyelid redness, flaking of skin on the eyelids, crusting and/or cysts at the eyelid margins, and a gritty sensation of the eye culminating in irritation, burning, and reduced vision. Should these symptoms remain unchanged or worsen, the patient routinely seeks the advice of an eye specialist, such as an ophthalmologist. After carefully considering the patients&#39; medical history and investigating various possible causes, the specialist may prescribe a hygienic home treatment procedure for the patient to perform regularly in conjunction with antibiotics and/or topical steroids until the disease subsides. 
         [0004]    The goal of the hygienic home treatment procedure is to remove debris, oil, and scurf that have collected along the eyelid margin during progression of the disorder. Removal of this debris is critical to both healing the eye and preventing a resurgence of the disorder. Without proper, regular removal of accumulated debris, such ocular disorders regularly worsen despite periodic treatments. 
         [0005]    Hygienic home treatment of such ocular disorders is generally a two-step process. First, the patient softens the debris and scurf by applying a warm compress, diluted baby shampoo, or a specialized liquid solution to the eyelid margin. This first step prepares the debris for removal while preventing further irritation to the eye. Second, the patient attempts to remove the debris by physically scrubbing the eyelid margin, the base of the eyelashes, and the pores of the meibomian glands. This scrubbing is routinely attempted with either a generic cotton swab, a fingertip, or a scrub pad placed over the fingertip and applied against the eye. By cleaning debris and scurf free from the base of the eyelashes and unclogging the pores of the meibomian glands, the patient may improve the overall health of the eyelid margin; thereby reducing irritation, burning, and other symptoms related to the disorder. 
         [0006]    Unfortunately for many patients, such hygienic home treatment is met with limited success due to the practical difficulties of cleaning one&#39;s own eye with an imprecise instrument such as a fingertip or cotton swab. For instance, many patients do not have the necessary dexterity to manipulate their fingertip or a cotton swab along the eyelid margin. Moreover, a shake, tremor, or poor near vision further complicate such self-treatment. Even for those capable of incorporating hygienic home treatment into their daily routine, many, if not most people, are wary of placing objects near their eyes to actively scrub along the eyelid margin. Given this anxiety, discomfort, and the inability to specifically target debris deposits, patients routinely fail to totally cleanse the margin of the eyelid, the base of the eyelashes, and the meibomian glands. While the attempted treatment may temporarily abate the patient&#39;s symptoms, subtle continuation of the disease often persists; thus permitting a low-grade inflammation to develop and, ultimately lead to chronic dry eye syndrome. Further, this treatment is typically required to be performed for the rest of the patient&#39;s life; thereby, creating a substantial hurdle to regular and effective compliance during hygienic home treatment. 
         [0007]    Evidence suggests that medical costs associated with dry eye syndrome, often induced by ocular diseases such as blepharitis, are currently over 68 billion dollars each year. Many of these expenses are needlessly incurred due to the patients&#39; failure to perform regular and effective treatments resulting in increased doctor visits, medications, and artificial tears. These expenses create a significant financial burden for insurance carriers, especially Medicare, which provides primary medical coverage for many individuals particularly prone to dry eye disease, such as the elderly. 
         [0008]    There is a need for a method and apparatus for use at home in treating ocular disorders, such eyelid margin diseases, that addresses present challenges and characteristics such as those discussed above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    An aspect of the invention is directed to a device for removing debris from an eyelid of an eye such as, for example, during the treatment of an ocular disorder. The exemplary device includes a scrubbing strip mounted to a surface of a support. The scrubbing strip is configured to access the margin of the eyelid of the eye and the support is configured to engage at least one of a finger or a mechanical eyelid scrubbing device. In an embodiment, the support is in the form of a sleeve. The device may be used by medical personnel or used at home. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the invention is directed a mechanical device for removing debris from an eyelid of an eye during the treatment of an ocular disorder. The mechanical device includes a rigid member that has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The distal end portion includes a surface having a width that is greater than a width of the shaft of the rigid member and configured to be coupled to a scrubbing strip. The mechanical device also includes a mechanical drive unit having a body. The mechanical drive unit is secured to the proximal end portion of the rigid member. The mechanical drive unit operably moves scrubbing strip relative to said body facilitating removal of the debris from the eye. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the invention is directed to methods of removing debris from an eye and/or treating an ocular disorder utilizing the devices disclosed herein. The disclosed devices and methods may be used in a medical setting or at home. 
         [0012]    Various additional objectives, advantages, and features of the invention will be appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below serve to explain the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a device for removing debris from an eye in accordance with aspects of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  during use to remove debris from an eye. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of embodiment of a mechanical device for removing debris from an eye in accordance with aspects of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a scrubbing strip for use with a mechanical device for removing debris from an eye in accordance with aspects of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a rigid member for use with the scrubbing strip illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a rigid member having a permanently affixed scrubbing strip. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , an embodiment of an eye wipe device  10  for scrubbing an eyelid margin to remove debris and treating an ocular disorder includes a scrubbing strip  12  mounted to a surface  14  of a support  16  that is configured to engage a finger  18  of a user. 
         [0023]    The scrubbing strip  12  has a length L 1 , a width W 1 , and a height H 1 , such that when the scrubbing strip  12  is mounted on the surface  14  of the support  16 , the scrubbing strip  12  may access an inner margin  22  of the upper and lower eyelids  26 ,  28  of the eye  30  to contact and remove debris  32  from the inner eyelid margin  22  while minimizing, and preferably avoiding, contact with the surface  34  of the eyeball  36  when the upper and lower eyelids  26 ,  28  are in a closed position. While embodiments of the scrubbing strip  12  on embodiments intended for use on a finger  18  are illustrated as having a length L 1  running coaxial with the user&#39;s finger, in alternative embodiments, the length of the scrubbing strip  12  may be rotated about 90 degrees so as to be aligned generally perpendicular to the length of the user&#39;s finger when in use. It will be appreciated that the scrubbing strip  12  may also access an outer margin  24  of the eyelids  26 ,  28  to contact and remove debris. 
         [0024]    In the exemplary embodiment, the length L 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is aligned generally parallel to the length L 2  of the support  16 , which, during use, will be aligned with the length of the finger  18  of the user. The length L 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is greater than the width W 2 . In an embodiment, the length L 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is from about 0.75 cm to about 2 cm. In an alternative embodiment, the length L 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is from about 1 cm to about 1.75 cm. In a further alternative embodiment, the length L 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is about 1.5 cm. 
         [0025]    In the exemplary embodiment, the width W 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is aligned generally perpendicular to the length L 1  and generally parallel with the width W 2  of the support  16 . In an embodiment, the width W 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is from about 1 mm to about 2 mm. In an alternative embodiment, the width W 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is from about 1.25 mm to about 1.75 mm. In a further alternative embodiment, the width W 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is about 1.5 mm. 
         [0026]    The height H 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is the distance that the scrubbing strip  12  projects from the surface  14  of the support  16 . In an embodiment, the height H 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is from about 0.75 mm to about 1.5 mm. In an alternative embodiment, the height H 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is from about 0.9 mm to about 1.2 mm. In a further alternative embodiment, the height H 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  is about 1 mm. 
         [0027]    In the exemplary embodiment, the scrubbing strip  12  has an upper surface  50  and a lower surface. The lower surface is not shown as it is blocked from view by the support  16 . The exemplary scrubbing strip  12  also has oppositely disposed side surfaces  52 ,  54  that are generally parallel to the length L 1  of the scrubbing strip  12 . The scrubbing strip  12  may also have oppositely disposed end surfaces  56 ,  58  that are generally parallel to the width W 1  of the scrubbing strip  12 . The upper surface  50  of the scrubbing strip  12  is illustrated as being generally planar, however, the upper surface  50  may also take other shapes, such as forming a convex curve between the side surfaces  52 ,  54 , the end surfaces  56 ,  58 , or both the side and end surfaces. 
         [0028]    It will be appreciated that the scrubbing strip  12  may be manufactured of any material suitable for contacting parts of the eye  30  without harming the eye  30  including the inner and outer margins  22 ,  24  of the upper and lower eyelids  26 ,  28 , as well as the surface  34  of the eyeball  36 . However, as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , the scrubbing strip  12  is a sponge. As described herein, “sponge” broadly refers to any material that is soft, porous, and resilient. Particularly, the scrubbing strip  12  is a medical grade sponge or a surgical grade sponge capable of removing debris from parts of eye  30  without harming the eye  30 . As shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , the scrubbing strip  12  is selected from a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge or a methyl cellulose sponge. It will be appreciated, however, that similar materials capable of removing debris from on the eye  30  without harming the eye  30  are readily apparent and may also be used. 
         [0029]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the support  16  is configured to placed over the end of a finger  18 , illustrated with broken lines, with the scrubbing strip  12  positioned over the pad of the finger tip. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4  includes a first sheet  38  coupled to a second sheet  40  to form a sleeve  42  that includes an opening  44  in one end for insertion of the finger  18 . A closed end  46  is distal to the opening  44 , however, it is anticipated that in some embodiments, the both ends may be open. The first and second sheets  38 ,  40  are coupled to one another around the majority of their respective edges  47 ,  48 . The first and second sheets  38 ,  40  may be coupled to one another using known techniques suitable to the materials from which the sheets are made. For example, the first and second sheets  38 ,  40  may be attached to one another with stitching, an adhesive, welding, and combinations thereof. It will be appreciated that the support  16  may be formed without using multiple sheets. For example, the support could be formed from a tubular material or from a single length of material that is folded over on itself such that opposite edges of the sheet are brought together and coupled to one another. 
         [0030]    The support  16  may be composed of any material having sufficient structural integrity to support the scrubbing strip  12  and that is safe for use around the eye  30 . Exemplary materials include a woven material, a knit material, non-woven/non-knit fiber based material, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof. Elastic materials may also be used in aspects of the support  16 , such as for the second sheet  40 . In an embodiment, the first and second sheets are formed from a non-woven/non-knit polyester material. 
         [0031]    The lower surface of the scrubbing strip  12  may be attached to the outer surface  14  of the support  16  with an adhesive that is safe for use on devices that come in contact with the eye  30 . It is anticipated that the scrubbing strip  12  may be attached to the outer surface  14  of the support  16  with other techniques, such as stitching. 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , during use, the support  16  is fit over the end of a finger  18  such that the scrubbing strip  12  is positioned over the pad of the finger tip. The scrubbing strip  12  may optionally be impregnated or soaked in a liquid, such as a cleaning solution suitable for use with the eye, prior to the user bringing the finger  18  with eye wipe device  10  into close proximity with the eye  30  to be scrubbed. The eye wipe device  10  may be used by the subject to scrub the subject&#39;s own eyelid margin or by a caregiver to scrub the subject&#39;s eyelid margin. The subject closes the eye  30  to be scrubbed and the scrubbing strip  12  is positioned adjacent the eye  30  generally parallel to the closed eyelids  26 ,  28  of the eye  30  to be scrubbed. The scrubbing strip  12  is then brought into contact with the eye  30 , and preferably with the inner eyelid margin  22  between the eyelashes  60  of the upper eyelid  26  and lower eyelid  28  such that the scrubbing strip  12  contacts and removes debris  32  along the inner margins  22  of the eyelids  26 ,  28 . The height H 1  of the scrubbing strip  12  works in combination with the surface  14  to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the scrubbing strip  12  contacting the surface  34  of the eyeball  36 . The scrubbing strip  12  may also be brought into contact with the outer margins  24  of the eyelids  26 ,  28  to remove debris. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 5-9 , another aspect of the invention is directed to a mechanical eye wipe device  100  for scrubbing an eyelid margin to remove debris and treating an ocular disorder. The mechanical eye wipe device  100  includes a mechanical drive unit  102  which operably moves a scrubbing strip  104  to facilitate removal of debris  140  from an eye  142  (See  FIG. 9 ). The scrubbing strip  104  is coupled to a rigid member  108  having both a distal end portion  110  and a proximal end portion  112 . The scrubbing strip  104  is coupled to the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member  108 . In an embodiment, the proximal end portion  112  of the rigid member  108  is secured to the mechanical drive unit  102  in order to transmit motion from the mechanical drive unit  102 , through the rigid member  108 , and to the scrubbing strip  104 . In an embodiment, the proximal end portion  112  of the rigid member  108  is permanently secured to the mechanical drive unit  102 . In another embodiment, the proximal end portion  112  of the rigid member  108  is removably secured to the mechanical drive unit  102 . It will be appreciated that any known method may be used to secure, permanently or removably, the rigid member  108  to the mechanical drive unit  102 . 
         [0034]    The rigid member  108  includes a shaft  116  and a central axis  118 . The shaft  116  extends along the central axis  118  between the proximal end portion  112 , which is coupled to the mechanical drive unit  102  and the distal end portion  110  having a scrubbing strip  104  coupled thereto. The rigid member  108  is sufficiently rigid to effectively transmit motion from the mechanical drive unit  102 , to the distal end portion  110  and thereby, the scrubbing strip  104 . In an embodiment, the rigid member  108  is made from a plastic material, however, other sufficient rigid materials may also be used. 
         [0035]    In the exemplary embodiments shown in  FIGS. 5, 7, and 8 , the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member  108  has a generally planar surface  122  having a width W 3  that is greater than a width W 4  of the shaft  116  of the rigid member  108 . While the surface  122  of the distal end portion  110  is illustrated as being generally planar, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the surface  122  may be a generally curved surface. For example, the surface  122  may be a convex curved surface with the distal and proximal edges  173 ,  174  or the left and right edges  188 ,  190  angled away from the eye so as to prevent the respective edges from contacting structures of the eye during treatment. The distal end portion  110  also has a length L 3  that is coaxial with the central axis  118  of the shaft  116  of the rigid member  108 . The distal end portion  110  may be generally paddle-shaped. As exemplified in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the paddle-shaped distal end portion  110  may be generally rectangular. However, other shapes may be used for the distal end portion  110  so long as the other shapes provide sufficient surface area for the scrubbing strip  104 . 
         [0036]    In the exemplary embodiment, the width W 3  of the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member  108  is at least as long as the length L 5  of the scrubbing strip  104 . Preferably, the width W 3  of the distal end portion  110  is equal or slightly greater than (i.e., not more than about 20% greater, and preferably, not more than 10% greater than) the length L 5  of the scrubbing strip. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the width W 3  of the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member  108  is from about 0.75 cm to about 2.4 cm. In an alternative embodiment, the width W 3  of the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member  108  is from about 0.75 cm to about 2.2 cm. In another alternative embodiment, the width W 3  of the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member  108  is from about 1 cm to about 2 cm. In another alternative embodiment, the width W 3  of the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member  108  is from about 1.5 cm to about 1.8 cm. 
         [0037]    In the exemplary embodiment, the length L 3  of the distal end portion  110 , as measured between the distal edge  173  and the proximal edge  174  of the distal end portion  110 , is greater than the width W 5  of the scrubbing strip  104 . In an embodiment, the length L 3  of the distal end portion  110  is at least two times greater than the width W 5  of the scrubbing strip. In an alternative embodiment, the length L 3  of the distal end portion  110  is at least three times greater than the width W 5  of the scrubbing strip. In an embodiment, the length L 3  of the distal end portion  110  is from about 2 mm to about 20 mm. In another embodiment, the length L 3  of the distal end portion  110  is from about 5 mm to about 15 mm. In another embodiment, the length L 3  of the distal end portion  110  is from about 6 mm to about 10 mm. 
         [0038]    The mechanical drive unit  102  includes a body  124 , an electric motor  126 , a chuck  128 , and a control switch  130 . As such, the device  100  is electromechanical in nature. In an exemplary embodiment, the electric motor  126 , the chuck  128 , and the control switch  130  are integrated into the body  124  so that the mechanical device  100  is configured to be handheld as shown in  FIG. 5 . However, the mechanical device  100  is not intended to be limited to a handheld configuration, and it will be appreciated that other configurations of the device  100  are readily apparent. 
         [0039]    According to the present embodiment, the electric motor  126  is positioned within the body  124 . The chuck  128  is operably connected to the electric motor  126  at a forward end portion  134  of the body  124 . The proximal end portion  112  of the rigid member  108  is removably secured to the chuck  128 . As described herein, the chuck  128  is generally any element capable of securing the rigid member  108  to the mechanical drive unit  102 . In embodiments utilizing a removable rigid member, the chuck  128  may be tightened or loosened to respectively secure or remove the removable rigid member to the chuck  128 . Through the chuck  128 , the operable connection of the electric motor  126  transmits a movement to the rigid member  108 . The movement is any motion relative to the mechanical drive unit  102  or, more particularly, to the body  124 , that creates relative motion to the debris  140  on the eye such that upon contacting the debris  140  with the scrubbing strip  104 , the debris  140  is removed. The mechanical drive unit  102  creates relative motion M in the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member  108  that is in the same general direction as the length L 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  coupled to the distal end portion. In embodiments in which the scrubbing strip  104  is coupled to the distal end portion  110  with the length L 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the central axis  118  of the shaft  116 , the mechanical drive unit  102  creates a side to side movement M that is generally perpendicular to the central axis  118  of the shaft  116 . This alternative embodiment is not illustrated herein. In alternative embodiments in which the scrubbing strip  104  may be coupled to the distal end portion  110  with the length L 4  extending in a direction generally parallel to the central axis  118  of the shaft  116 , the mechanical drive unit creates an in and out movement that is generally parallel to the central axis  118  of the shaft  116 . Thus, the movement may be a vibrating movement either orthogonal to the central axis  118  of the rigid member  108  or along the central axis  118  of the rigid member  108 . In addition, the speed of the movement of the scrubbing strip  104  is any speed sufficient to remove debris  140  from on the eye  142 . It will be appreciated that the speed discussed herein collectively refers to both relative speed of the scrubbing strip  104  and the frequency of the movement of the scrubbing strip  104 . For instance, the frequency may range from sonic frequencies to ultrasonic frequencies. Furthermore, the speed of the scrubbing strip  104  may be variable or otherwise selectable such that an operator of the device  100  may select a desirable speed via the control switch  130 . 
         [0040]    Moreover, the control switch  130  is operably connected to the electric motor  126  and an electric power source  146  to power the device  100  on and off. In an exemplary embodiment, the electric power source  146  is a battery power source contained within the body  124 . The battery power source may be either disposable or rechargeable. The electric power source  146  operably provides electrical power to the electric motor  126 , which the operator controls via the control switch  130 . It will be appreciated that any known control switch or plurality of control switches may be configured to power the device  100  on and off. 
         [0041]    Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the device  100  may be manufactured from various materials suited to specific environments of use. For instance, operators may desire a durable, reusable mechanical drive unit  102  with permanently attached rigid members  108  but with single use scrubbing strips  104  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  mounted on a removable support  150 . In the alternative, operators may desire a durable, reusable mechanical drive unit  102  with removably attached rigid members  108 . In this latter embodiment, the scrubbing strip  104  may be permanently mounted on the distal end portion  110  and the rigid member  108  may be suitable for a single use (as shown in  FIG. 8 ), or the scrubbing strip  104  may be mounted on a removable support  150  and such that the rigid member  108  may be utilized more than once (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
         [0042]    The scrubbing strip  104  for use on the mechanical eye wipe device  100  is similar to the scrubbing strip  12  utilized with the eye wipe device  10  described herein with respect to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         [0043]    In particular the scrubbing strip  104  has a length L 5 , a width W 5 , and a height H 5 , such that when the scrubbing strip  104  is mounted on the surface  151  of support  150  ( FIG. 6 ) or on the surface  122  of the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member  108  ( FIG. 8 ), the scrubbing strip  104  may access an inner margin  152  of the upper and lower eyelids  154 ,  156  of the eye  142  to contact and remove debris  140  from the inner eyelid margin  152  while minimizing, and preferably avoiding, contact with the surface  158  of the eyeball  159  when the upper and lower eyelids  154 ,  156  are in a closed position. The length L 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  is aligned generally parallel to the width W 6  of the support  150 , which, during use, will be generally perpendicular to the central axis  118  of the shaft  116  of the rigid member  108 . While embodiments of the scrubbing strip  104  are illustrated as having a length L 5  running generally perpendicular to the central axis  118  of the shaft  116  of the rigid member  108 , in alternative embodiments, the length L 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  may be rotated about 90 degrees so as to be aligned generally parallel to the central axis  118 . 
         [0044]    The length L 5  is greater than the width W 4 . In an embodiment, the length L 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  is from about 0.75 cm to about 2 cm. In an alternative embodiment, the length L 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  is from about 1 cm to about 1.75 cm. In a further alternative embodiment, the length L 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  is about 1.5 cm. 
         [0045]    The width W 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  is aligned generally perpendicular to the length L 5  and generally parallel to the length L 6  the surface  151  of the support  150 . In an embodiment, the width W 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  is from about 1 mm to about 2 mm. In an alternative embodiment, the width W 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  is from about 1.25 mm to about 1.75 mm. In a further alternative embodiment, the width W 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  is about 1.5 mm. 
         [0046]    The height H 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  is the distance that the scrubbing strip  104  projects from the surface  151  of the support  150  ( FIG. 6 ) or from the surface  122  of the distal end portion  110  ( FIG. 8 ). In an embodiment, the height H 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  is from about 0.75 mm to about 1.5 mm. In an alternative embodiment, the height H 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  is from about 0.9 mm to about 1.2 mm. In a further alternative embodiment, the height H 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  is about 1 mm. 
         [0047]    The scrubbing strip  104  has an upper surface  164  and a lower surface, which is not shown as it is block from view by the support  150  ( FIG. 6 ) or the surface  122  of the distal end portion  110  ( FIG. 8 ). The scrubbing strip  104  may also have oppositely disposed side surfaces  166 ,  168  defining the length L 4  of the scrubbing strip  104 . The scrubbing strip  104  may also have oppositely disposed end surfaces  170 ,  172  defining the width W 5  of the scrubbing strip  104 . The upper surface  164  of the scrubbing strip  104  is illustrated as being generally planar, however, the upper surface  164  may also take other shapes, such as forming a convex curve between the side surfaces  166 ,  168 , the end surfaces  170 ,  172 , or both the side and end surfaces. 
         [0048]    It will be appreciated that the scrubbing strip  104  may be manufactured of any material suitable for contacting parts of the eye  142  without harming the eye  142  including the inner and outer margins  152 ,  154  of the upper and lower eyelids  154 ,  156  as well as the surface  158  of the eyeball  159 . As shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-9 , the scrubbing strip  104  is a sponge. 
         [0049]    In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 6, and 9 , the support  150  is configured to placed over the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member  108  with the scrubbing strip  104  positioned generally equidistant between the distal edge  173  and proximal edge  174  of the surface  122  of the distal end portion  108 . The exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 6, and 9  includes a first sheet  175  coupled to a second sheet  176  to form a sleeve  178  that includes an opening  160  in one end for insertion of the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member  108 . A closed end  162  is distal to the opening  160 . The first and second sheets  175 ,  176  are coupled to one another around the majority of their respective edges  184 ,  186 . The first and second sheets  175 ,  176  may be coupled to one another using known techniques suitable to the materials from which the sheets are made. It will be appreciated that the support  16  may be formed without using multiple sheets. For example, the support could be formed from a tubular material or from a single length of material that is folded over on itself such that opposite edges of the sheet are brought together and coupled to one another. 
         [0050]    As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the support  150  has a size sufficient to fit over the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member  108 . In an embodiment, the support  150  is sized so that its internal surfaces engage the external surfaces of the distal end portion  110  to maintain the support  150  in position on the distal end portion  110  during use. The internal surfaces of the support  150 , the external surfaces of the distal end portion  110 , or both the internal surfaces of the support  15  and the external surfaces of the distal end portion  110  may further include a treatment that either maintains or assists with maintaining the position of the support  150  on the distal end portion  110 . For example, the respective surfaces may be treated with an adhesive or a friction increasing treatment such as a tacky coating or a treatment that roughens the surfaces. While reference is made to the internal surfaces of the support or the external surfaces of the distal end portion  110 , it is anticipated that just one surface may be treated, or a portion of one or more surfaces may be treated. 
         [0051]    The support  150  may be composed of any material having sufficient structural integrity to support the scrubbing strip  104  and that is safe for use around the eye  142 . Exemplary materials include a woven material, a knit material, non-woven/non-knit fiber based material, a polymeric material and combinations thereof. Elastic materials may also be used in aspects of the support  150 , such as for the second sheet  176 . In an embodiment, the first and second sheets are formed from a non-woven/non-knit polyester material. 
         [0052]    The lower surface of the scrubbing strip  104  may be attached to the outer surface  151  of the support  150  with an adhesive that is safe for use on devices that come in contact with the eye. The scrubbing strip  104  may be attached to the outer surface  151  of the support  150  with other techniques, such as stitching. 
         [0053]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , during use, the support  150  is fit over the distal end portion  110  of the rigid member such that the scrubbing strip  104  is generally equidistant between the distal and proximal edges  173 ,  174  of the surface  122  of the distal end portion  110 . The scrubbing strip  12  may optionally be impregnated or soaked in a liquid, such as a cleaning solution, prior to the user bringing the distal end portion  110  into close proximity with the eye  142  to be scrubbed. The mechanical eye wipe device  100  may be used by the subject to scrub the subject&#39;s own eyelid margin or by a caregiver to scrub the subject&#39;s eyelid margin. The subject closes the eye  142  to be scrubbed and the scrubbing strip  104  is positioned adjacent the eye  142  generally parallel to the closed eyelids  154 ,  156  of the eye  142  to be scrubbed. The scrubbing strip  104  is then brought into contact with the eye  142 , and preferably with the eyelid margin  152  between the eyelashes of the upper eyelid  154  and lower eyelid  156  such that the scrubbing strip  104  contacts and removes debris  140  along the inner margin  152  of the eyelids  154 ,  156 . The height H 5  of the scrubbing strip  104  works in combination with the surface  151  to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the scrubbing strip  104  contacting the surface  158  of the eyeball  159 . The scrubbing strip  104  may also be brought into contact with the outer margin  153  of the eyelids  154 ,  156  to remove debris. 
         [0054]    While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of one or more embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, while embodiments of the scrubbing strip on embodiments intended for use on a finger are illustrated as having a length running coaxial with the length of the user&#39;s finger, in alternative embodiments, the length of the scrubbing strip may be rotated about 90 degrees so as to be aligned generally perpendicular to the length of the user&#39;s finger when in use. Likewise, while embodiments of the scrubbing strip intended for use with a mechanical device are illustrate as running perpendicular to the central axis of the rigid member shaft, in alternative embodiments, the length of the scrubbing strip may be rotated about 90 degrees so as to be aligned generally parallel to the central axis. In this alternative embodiment, the device will move the scrubbing strip generally parallel to the central axis of the rigid member. Furthermore, embodiments of the scrubbing strip  12  on embodiments intended for use on a finger  18  are illustrated as having a length L 1  extending only partially along the length L 2  of the support  16 , i.e., the scrubbing strip  12  does not extend along its length L 2  all the way to either the closed end  46  or the end with the opening  44  of the support  16 . However, it is anticipated that the scrubbing strip  12  could extend all the way to, or nearly all the way to the closed end  46 , the end with the opening  44 , or both the closed end  46  and end with the opening  44  of the support  12 . The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of the general inventive concept.