Abstract:
The present invention provides apparatus for manipulating and cleaning of contact lenses, together with methods for same. The apparatus comprises at least one eyepiece, at least one body and a cleaning housing. The at least one eyepiece is attached to the at least one body and defines an opening in the body. The at least one eyepiece comprises a head for engaging a contact lens and an eyelid opening mechanism. The at least one body includes a contact tens manipulation device. The apparatus is arranged such that when the at least one eyepiece is attached to the body and the face of the user is in contact with the eyepiece, the eyelid opening mechanism engages the upper and lower eyelids to retain them open while a retractable mechanism removes the contact lens from the eye of the user. The cleaning housing is engageable with the eyepiece and can effectuate cleaning of the contact lens once removed from the eye of the user.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates to an apparatus for hygienic insertion, positioning and removal of contact lenses from a person&#39;s eyes. 
   BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
   It is estimated that more than 150 million people in the USA use corrective eye wear for refractive errors (Prevent Blindness America, 2002). Contact lenses represent an increasingly popular and convenient solution to correct defective vision such that the contact lens market has a growth of approximately 20% year over year, and sales have grown from $16 million in 1998 to an expected $184 million in 2003. Contact lenses by their very nature are small, delicate and easily damaged, and this leads to problems associated with handling and insertion for a great many users. Installation and removal of contact lenses can be physically cumbersome and time consuming, and the majority of users are known to experience difficulties when they first start wearing contact lenses. 
   Many people go on to find the insertion and removal of contact lenses a natural thing to do, but a significant proportion of people are believed to have continuing difficulties/problems associated with contact lens insertion/removal. It is widely perceived within the industry that there is a requirement for a solution to overcome the problems associated with manipulation, insertion and removal of contact lenses. 
   Hygiene can also pose a problem with regard to the wearing of contact lenses-in the event that a contact lens is dropped during insertion into or removal from the eye it may become contaminated with particulate matter (e.g. dirt) or micro-organisms (e.g. bacteria), which can cause infections, discomfort, and damage to the eye. There is also a risk that a contact lens may become contaminated through contact with the skin of a finger or the palm of the hand. A variety of microorganisms are involved in causing eye infections, but the most commonly isolated organisms are Serratia, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter (from contaminated sterilizing and washing solutions) and staphylococci (from direct handling of contact lenses). In order to maintain good ocular hygiene it is important that a contact lens user washes their hands prior to insertion/removal of a contact lens, and that the contact lenses are cleaned properly in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. 
   Indeed, deviation from recommended wear and care procedures are the prime factors involved in contraction of Acanthamoeba keratitis, a serious and painful condition which may cause long-term damage to the eye. Cleaning and disinfection of contact lenses can thus be time consuming and impractical, particularly when a user does not have a ready means available to clean their hands prior to handling their contact lenses e.g. whilst travelling. Survey evidence suggests that 75% of existing contact lens users reported that they would use an apparatus which would not only insert/remove their lenses but also clean and store them. 
   Prior art contact lens insertion and removal devices include U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,408, U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,226, and WO 99/21519. U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,408 discloses a device having a cup to receive a contact lens, the cup having a hole connected to a tube. The tube serves to apply negative pressure to the contact lens in order to pick it up, and positive pressure to facilitate discharge of the contact lens onto the eyeball. The tube also provides a light source, visualized as a bright spot of light which can serve as a target by a user, thereby making the process of contact lens insertion/removal easier. A means is provided to distort the cup and the contact lens which aids removal of a contact lens from the eye. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,226 discloses a device combining a means to position or remove a contact lens combined with a means to keep the upper and lower eyelids open. Using one hand, the eyelids are retained open using eyelid engaging means, and the contact lens is positioned or removed using the other hand and a pair of flexible tweezers. 
   WO 99/21519 discloses a package containing a contact lens stored in saline solution. The package comprises an applicator for applying the contact lens to the eye, thereby circumventing the requirement for a user to physically pick up the contact lens and place it on their palm prior to insertion onto the eyeball. By removing contact between fingers and the contact lens, the chances of contaminating the contact lens by a user are thereby considerably reduced, and good ocular hygiene is maintained. 
   Prior art devices are primarily used for the insertion and/or removal of contact lenses from the eye. The devices, although minimizing contact with skin and therefore the risks of contamination of a contact lens, still require the use of both hands, typically with one hand holding open the eyelids, and the other hand inserting the contact lens through the use of an applicator or tweezers. The application step, although facilitated through the use of tweezers or an applicator, can still be problematic since it invariably requires a degree of skill and dexterity by the user-a good aim and appropriate use of force is required to position a contact lens on the eyeball. Importantly, none of the prior art devices are designed for cleaning contact lenses—the contact lenses may be removed and stored using the prior art devices, but cleaning of a contact lens prior to storage invariably involves manual (i.e. fingertip) “scouring” or “scrubbing” of the contact lens with a cleaning solution typically comprising a detergent followed by rinsing with a sterile saline solution. 
   SUMMARY 
   It is an object of the present invention to overcome the prior art disadvantages by providing an apparatus for use with a contact lens which comprises automatic contact lens installation, insertion, removal, manipulation, cleaning, and storage steps, without the need for a user to physically manipulate or clean the contact lens themselves. 
   According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for manipulation and cleaning of a contact lens, said apparatus comprising an at least one eyepiece, an at least one body, and a cleaning housing, said at least one eyepiece when attached to said at least one body defining an opening into said at least one body and said at least one eyepiece comprising:
         (i) a head for engaging a contact lens; and   (ii) an eyelid opening means,       

   said at least one body containing a contact lens manipulation means comprising an elongate arm defining a longitudinal axis and an arm movement means communicating with said arm, said arm movement means effecting movement of said arm between a retracted position and an extended position; 
   said apparatus arranged such that when said at least one eyepiece is attached to said at least one body and the face of a user is in contact with said at least one eyepiece, an eyeball and upper and lower eyelids of said user being positioned over said opening, said eyelid opening means is engageable with said upper and lower eyelids to retain them open, said arm being engaged with said head and being extendable to contact said eyeball of said user and effect insertion and removal of a contact lens into and from said eye; 
   said cleaning housing comprising contact lens cleaning means and being engageable with said at least one eyepiece, such that when said at least one eyepiece and said cleaning housing are engaged, said contact lens cleaning means can effect cleaning of a contact lens engaged with said head of said at least one eyepiece. 
   The at least one eyepiece may be removeably attachable to the at least one body. 
   Alternatively the at least one eyepiece may be permanently engaged with the at least one body. 
   Thus, the apparatus may comprise one eyepiece attached to one body, and a cleaning housing which is engageable with the eyepiece. 
   The at least one eyepiece may define an opening into the body and an eyehole. A user may position their eye over the eyehole and look into the eyehole. 
   The at least one eyepiece may be adapted such that when the face of a user is in contact with the eyepiece, external light is not visible to the user, e.g. is prevented from entering between the face of the user and the eyepiece, thus being prevented from entering the volume defined by the person&#39;s face, the eyepiece and the body. The at least one eyepiece may extend around the eyelid opening means, thereby protecting it from damage. The at least one eyepiece may be sprung such that when it is pressed against the face of a user, it retracts towards the body of the apparatus and the eyelids of the user contact the eyelid opening means. The arms may be spaced so as to not contact the eyeball of a user. 
   The eyepiece or body may comprise a light source such that when a user looks through the eyepiece into the opening of the device, the user sees a small focussed spot of light, thereby preventing the user from seeing the arm and the head of the device. The inability of the user to see the components of the device, both in a static or moving state, minimizes flinching by the user and facilitates insertion and removal of contact lenses. The spot of light may be colored to indicate either normal function or to prompt the user to change the batteries of the device, or their contact lenses. The light may also be used to signal other information to a user. 
   The apparatus (for example the body) may comprise a control (e.g. a button or switch), for use by a user to control the contact lens manipulation means. By actuating the control, a user can thus install or remove a contact lens into their eye, or remove a contact lens from its packaging and install it into the apparatus. All the functions of the apparatus may be controlled through the use of the control. 
   The apparatus may comprise two eyepieces, two bodies, and a cleaning housing, each eyepiece being attached to a body, the cleaning housing being engageable with the eyepieces. Each eyepiece may define an opening into the body, and may comprise a head for engaging a contact lens and an eyelid opening means. The body may comprise a contact lens manipulation means, wherein when the face of a user is in contact with the eyepiece, an eyeball and upper and lower eyelids of the user being positioned over the opening, the eyelid opening means is engageable with the upper and lower eyelids to retain them open, the contact lens manipulation means comprising an elongate arm defining a longitudinal axis and an arm movement means communicating with the arm, the arm movement means effecting movement of the arm between a retracted position and an extended position; 
   wherein when the at least one eyepiece is attached to the at least one body and the face of a user is in contact with the at least one eyepiece, an eyeball and upper and lower eyelids of the user being positioned over the opening, the eyelid opening means can engage the upper and lower eyelids and retain them open, the arm engaged with the head extending to contact the eyeball of the user and effect insertion and removal of a contact lens into and from the eye; 
   the cleaning housing comprising contact lens cleaning means and being engageable with the at least one eyepiece, such that when the at least one eyepiece and the cleaning housing are engaged, the contact lens cleaning means can effect cleaning of a contact lens engaged with the head of the at least one eyepiece. 
   The apparatus may comprise two eyepieces, one body and a cleaning housing, the eyepieces being removeably attachable to the body and the cleaning housing being engageable with the eyepieces, such that when at least one eyepiece is engaged with the cleaning housing, the contact lens cleaning means can effect cleaning of any contact lens engaged with the head of the eyepiece. 
   The apparatus may be formed such that only one of the two eyepieces is attachable to the body at any given time. 
   The arm may be capable of releasably engaging the head. 
   The arm may extend through the opening to engage the head. 
   The arm movement means may effect movement of the arm between a retracted position in which the arm is contained within the body of the apparatus, and an extended position in which the arm extends through the opening. 
   The arm may be attached to the head. The eyepieces may each hold a contact lens, the prescription of which corresponds to a particular eye. The eyepieces may be formed so that one eyepiece has a shape adapted for use with the left eye of a user, and the other eyepiece has a shape adapted for use with the right eye. The shape of an eyepiece may be such that if it is attempted for use with the incorrect eye, an incorrect fit is made which is noticeable to the user. This prevents insertion into the eye of a contact lens of the wrong shape or prescription. 
   The eyelid opening means may comprise a plurality of arms, each of the arms being movable within a guide track positioned within the eyepiece, wherein the arms, responsive to contact against the upper and lower eyelids of a user, move along the guide tracks engaging and retaining the upper and lower eyelids in an open position. 
   The contact lens manipulation means may comprise a rack associated with the arm, the rack engaging with a worm associated with the arm movement means. Movement of the rack is responsive to rotational movement of the worm about it&#39;s longitudinal axis. The use of rack and worm gears will be well known to a person skilled in the art. The contact lens manipulation means may comprise an electric motor to effect movement of the arm between extended and retracted states. Movement of the arm is not limited to the use of a rack and worm-indeed, other ways of moving the arm are envisaged and will be well known to a person skilled in the art. In particular, the arm movement means may comprise apparatus described in EP 0784252 (also known in the art as “SMAC” devices/technology), effecting actuation of the arm and in particular to effecting a “soft landing” of the head (and thus of a contact lens when engaged with the head) on the eye of a user. Actuators, spring arrangements and other devices described in EP 0635786 and EP 0778656 may also be used. 
   The apparatus, particularly the eyepiece, may be provided with a fluid drainage arrangement in order to allow fluid such as contact lens cleaning fluid to be drained from the eyepiece, preventing its damaging the apparatus contained in the body. For example, the at least one eyepiece may be provided with fluid drainage means. In addition, seal means may be provided (for example incorporated into the at least one eyepiece and/or into the at least one body) preventing the transmission of fluid from the at least one eyepiece into the at least one body. This can allow movement of the arm without allowing the transmission of fluid. 
   The head may be resiliently deformable, defining a first extended position, and a second contracted position, wherein the head is capable of gripping a contact lens when the head is in the second position. The head of the eyepiece may be shaped to complement the shape of a contact lens (e.g. cup shaped), and/or it may comprise a plurality of gripping arms e.g. two, three or four arms. The head may be manufactured from a resiliently deformable material, e.g. a low shore factor thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The head and gripping arms may be moulded to facilitate gripping or pinching of a contact lens when the head is in the second (contracted) position. 
   The contact lens manipulation means may comprise a head manipulating means to effect gripping of a contact lens by the head of the eyepiece, to facilitate removal of a contact lens from the eye or its packaging. 
   The head manipulating means may comprise a longitudinally elongate sleeve positioned coaxial with and radially extended from the arm and defining first and second ends, the arm being positioned radially inwards of the sleeve and defining a head-contacting end, the first end of the sleeve terminating adjacent to the head-contacting end of the arm, wherein the head and arm are movable relative to the sleeve along the longitudinal axis between a first position in which the head does not engage the sleeve and is in the first extended state, and a second position in which the head engages the sleeve and is deformed into the second contracted state, thereby effecting gripping of the contact lens. 
   The sleeve and the arm may be reversibly coupled to one another. The head manipulating means may comprise a coupling control means, the coupling control means being capable of coupling and uncoupling the sleeve and the arm between coupled and uncoupled states. 
   In the coupled state the arm moves in conjunction with the sleeve, and in the uncoupled state the arm moves independently of the sleeve. 
   The coupling control means may be electronic or electromagnetic (for example a solenoid). 
   The coupling control means may be preferably operatively linked to the arm movement means, and controlled such that the sleeve and arm are automatically uncoupled when the head of the arm contacts a contact lens placed in position on the eyeball, prior to retraction of the arm and gripping of the contact lens. Retraction of the arm through the sleeve need only be a short distance, for example between 0.3-2.0 cm. Retraction of the arm may be controlled in order to avoid the head and contact lens being pulled through the first end of the sleeve and damaged. 
   The contact lens cleaning means may comprise an at least one cleaning arm defining a cleaning head capable of contacting a contact lens, and a cleaning arm movement means communicating with the cleaning arm, the cleaning arm movement means effecting movement of the cleaning head for cleaning a contact lens. The contact lens cleaning means may comprise two cleaning arms, each arm being capable of cleaning a contact lens contained within an eyepiece. 
   The cleaning arm movement means may comprise an electric motor to effect rotational movement of the cleaning arm about it&#39;s longitudinal axis, and may be provided with an off centre gear which provides a vertically oscillating movement. 
   The contact lens cleaning means may comprise an ultrasonic cleaning means, for example an ultrasonic probe. Ultrasonic cleaning devices are well known to a person skilled in the art. 
   The contact lens cleaning means may be turned on or off or otherwise controlled by way of a control (e.g. a switch or button) located on the cleaning housing, and a user can thus clean contact lenses contained within the eyepieces by actuating the control. 
   The apparatus (for example the cleaning housing) may comprise a compartment for storage of contact lens cleaning solutions and/or other components. The body and cleaning housing may comprise a compartment in which batteries may be stored, the batteries being used to power the apparatus. 
   The present invention in its various aspects also provides the opportunity to incorporate medical testing equipment for testing at least one eye of a patient. For example the apparatus may incorporate equipment to test a patient for glaucoma. Visual field test means may be incorporated into the apparatus, enabling a visual field test to be performed using it. For example, at least part of the visual field test means may be incorporated into the body of the apparatus. The visual field test means could be provided in the form of equipment for operation by a qualified optician or physician, or could be in the form of equipment for home use and which in the case of an adverse result being obtained can advise a user to seek medical advice to determine whether they are suffering from glaucoma. Other testing equipment is well known in the art and can be incorporated with the apparatus of the present invention. In particular, the present invention is well suited to testing equipment which requires clear access to at least one eye of a patient. 
   The apparatus can also provide convenient means for advising a user regarding the changing of contact lenses. For example, the apparatus may be adapted such that after a pre-defined number of insertions and removals of a given contact lens the user is advised (for example by the displaying of a message or lighting up of a warning light) that the contact lens needs replacing. As discussed below, messages may be displayed to a user (for example by way of a colored light) during use of the apparatus. Alternatively, instead of determining whether a pre-defined number of insertions and removals has been performed, a message may be displayed when a certain period of use (e.g. one week or one month) of a lens has elapsed. The apparatus may be provided with data input means to allow the setting and re-setting of necessary information, for example the start date of use of a lens or the number of uses of a lens. The apparatus may additionally be adapted such that for example in the case where multiple heads are to be used with one body, each head can be distinguished by the body and messages appropriate to that head issued. Alternatively, a head may contain within it the means for determining its use and issuing messages etc. 
   According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of inserting or removing at least one contact lens into or from an eye of a user using an apparatus for manipulation of a contact lens, said apparatus comprising an at least one eyepiece and an at least one body, said at least one eyepiece when attached to said at least one body defining an opening into said at least one body and said at least one eyepiece comprising:
         (i) a head for engaging a contact lens; and   (ii) an eyelid opening means,       

   said at least one body containing a contact lens manipulation means comprising an elongate arm defining a longitudinal axis and an arm movement means communicating with said arm, said arm movement means effecting movement of said arm between a retracted position and an extended position; 
   said apparatus arranged such that when said at least one eyepiece is attached to said at least one body and the face of a user is in contact with said at least one eyepiece, an eyeball and upper and lower eyelids of said user being positioned over said opening, said eyelid opening means is engageable with said upper and lower eyelids to retain them open, said arm being engaged with said head and being extendable to contact said eyeball of said user and effect insertion and removal of a contact lens into and from said eye; 
   said method comprising the steps of: (i) contacting the face of a user with said at least one eyepiece, an eyeball and upper and lower eyelids of the user being positioned over said opening; (ii) operating said apparatus so as to engage said upper and lower eyelids and retain them open and extend said arm engaged with said head to contact said eyeball of said user and effect insertion or removal of a contact lens into or from said eye. 
   Also provided is a method of inserting or removing at least one contact lens according to the second aspect of the present invention, the apparatus additionally comprising a cleaning housing comprising contact lens cleaning means and being engageable with the eyepiece, such that when the at least one eyepiece and cleaning housing are engaged, the contact lens cleaning means can effect cleaning of a contact lens engaged with the head of the eyepiece, the method additionally comprising the steps of:
         (i) engaging the cleaning housing with the at least one eyepiece having a contact lens engaged with the head;   (ii) operating the apparatus so as to effect cleaning of a contact lens engaged with the head of the eyepiece.       

   The various aspects and features of the apparatus of the present invention equally apply to the methods of the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a shows a sectional view of the apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows a sectional view of the eyelid opening means contained within the eyepiece of the apparatus, (a) prior to contact with the eyelids of a user, (b) contacting the eyelids of a user, and (c) retaining the eyelids of a user in an open position; 
       FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the contact lens manipulation means of the apparatus with the arm contacting the head of the eyepiece; 
       FIG. 4  shows a side view of the stages in the removal of a contact lens from an eye, (a) at the moment when the head of the eyepiece contacts the contact lens, (b) retraction of the arm/sleeve and uncoupling of the sleeve and arm, (c) retraction of the arm relative to the sleeve causing deformation of the head and effecting gripping of the contact lens by the head, and (d) coupling of the arm and sleeve and retraction of the coupled arm/sleeve into the body; 
       FIG. 5  shows a side view of the stages in the cleaning of a contact lens contained within the apparatus according to the present invention, (a) prior to addition of cleaning solution, (b) after addition of cleaning solution, and (c) during cleaning of the contact lens by the contact lens cleaning means; and 
       FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment to that shown in  FIG. 1 , with an alternative arm movement means. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In a first embodiment of the invention, the apparatus  10  comprises two eyepieces  50  which are removeably attachable to a body  40  ( FIG. 1 ). Only one of the eyepieces  50  may be attached to the body  40  at any given time. The eyepieces  50  are also releasably engageable with a cleaning housing  20  ( FIG. 5C ). Each eyepiece  50 , when attached to the body  40 , defines an opening  60  into the body  40  of the apparatus  10 . 
   In a second embodiment of the invention, the apparatus  10  comprises two eyepieces  50 , two bodies  40  and a cleaning housing  20 , wherein each of the eyepieces  50  is attached to a body  40 . The eyepieces  50  are also releasably engageable with a cleaning housing  20 . 
   Each eyepiece  50  defines an opening  60  into the body  40  of the apparatus  10 . 
   The eyepieces  50  each comprise an eyelid opening means  70  and a head  120  for engaging a contact lens  130  ( FIG. 2 ). The eyelid opening means  70  comprises a plurality of eyelid opening arms  80 , each of the eyelid opening arms  80  being movable within a guide track  150  positioned within the eyepieces  50 , wherein the eyelid opening arms  80 , responsive to contact against the upper and lower eyelids  95  of a user ( FIG. 2A ), move along the guide tracks  150  ( FIG. 2B ) engaging and retaining the upper and lower eyelids  95  in an open position ( FIG. 2C ). The eyepieces  50  of the apparatus  10  extend around the eyelid opening means  70 , thereby protecting it from damage. The eyepiece  50  is sprung such that when it is pressed against the face of a user, the eyepiece  50  retracts towards the body  40  of the apparatus  10  and the eyelids  95  of the user contact the eyelid opening means  70 . 
   Arms  80  are spaced so as to not contact the eyeball  160  of a user. The eyelid opening means  70  serves to prevent blinking during insertion and removal of a contact lens  130 . 
   The head  120  of the eyepiece  50  can engage a contact lens  130 . 
   With the face of a user in contact with eyepiece  50 , the user is prevented from seeing external light (i.e. light is prevented from entering between the face of the user and the eyepiece). 
   The body  40  comprises a contact lens manipulation means  90  ( FIG. 3 ) comprising an elongate arm  100  defining a longitudinal axis and an arm movement means  110 , communicating with the arm  100 . The arm  100  can engage with the head  120  contained within the eyepiece  50 . The arm movement means  110  is capable of effecting movement of the arm  100  between a retracted position, wherein the arm  100  is contained within the body  40  and an extended position, wherein the arm  100  extends through the opening  60 , engages with the head  120  contained in the eyepiece  50 , and causes the head  120  to contact the eyeball  160  of the user and effect insertion and removal of a contact lens  130  into and from an eye ( FIG. 3 ). 
   Each eyepiece  50  or body  40  comprises a light source (not shown) such that when a user looks through the eyepiece  50  into the opening  60  of the apparatus  10 , the user sees a small focussed spot of light, thereby preventing the user from seeing the arm  100  and the head  120  of the apparatus  10 . The inability of the user to see the components of the apparatus  10 , both in a static or moving state minimizes flinching by the user and facilitates insertion and removal of contact lenses. The spot of light can be colored to indicate either normal function or to prompt the user to change the batteries of the device, or their contact lenses. 
   The contact lens manipulation means  90  comprises a rack  170  associated with the arm  100 , the rack  170  engaging with a worm  180  associated with the arm movement means  110 . 
   The contact lens manipulation  90  means comprises an electric motor  190  to effect movement of the arm  100  between extended and retracted states. A plurality of gears  195  are provided to improve the control of the arm  100  and the range of speed available for extension and retraction of the arm  100 . 
   The arm  100  travels along the worm  180  in either direction responsive to rotation of the worm  180  about it&#39;s longitudinal axis in one or other direction. Movement of the arm  100  along the worm  180  in one direction corresponds to extension of the arm  100  such that the head  120  extends through the opening  60 , and movement of the arm  100  in the other direction along the worm  180  corresponds to retraction of the arm  100 , such that it is fully contained within the body  40  of the apparatus  10 . The worm  180  is provided with a stop  200  at one or both ends to limit movement of the arm  100 . The arm  100  may be extended and retracted through the opening  60  of the apparatus  10  by traveling along the worm  180 , and the extension and retraction can be controlled by a user. In one embodiment of the invention (see  FIG. 3 ), the head  120  of each eyepiece  50  comprises a laser reader  205  which accurately measures the distance between the eyeball  160  (i.e. the point of contact) and the head  120  of the eyepiece  50 . The apparatus  10  is fitted with a chip  208  located on a circuit board  209  which controls movement of the arm  100  in response to this measured distance approaching a set parameter. At this point the apparatus  10  moves the arm  100  in a tightly controlled and precise way, thereby inserting the contact lens  130  into the eye in an extremely accurate and safe manner. Movement of the arm  100  along the worm  180  is in response to operation of the apparatus  10  by a user. Apparatus  10  comprises a button  310  ( FIG. 1 ) located on the body  40  to be depressed by a user in order activate movement of the arm  100 . 
   The same apparatus  10  fitted with a laser reader  205 , which measures the distance between the eyeball  160  and the head  120  of the eyepiece  50  in real time, is useable by a multitude of users, for example, all the members of a family who wear contact lenses. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus  10  is fitted with a chip  208  which contains the precise measurements for extension of the arm  100 , as determined by e.g. an optician, such that the apparatus  10  can quickly and safely insert a contact lens  130  into the eye of a user, and that user can have the utmost confidence that the apparatus  10  can insert a contact lens  130  safely, since the apparatus  10  is tailored to insert a contact lens  130  in accordance with precise measurements of their facial and eye anatomy. 
   The head  120  of each eyepiece  50  is resiliently deformable, defining first extended, and second contracted positions, wherein the head  120  is capable of gripping a contact lens  130  when the head  120  is in the second position. The head  120  of each eyepiece  50  is cup shaped to complement the shape of a contact lens  130  or comprises a plurality of gripping arms  140  e.g. two, three or four. Head  120  is manufactured from a resiliently deformable material such as a low shore factor thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The head  120  and gripping arms  140  are moulded to facilitate gripping or pinching of a contact lens  130  when the head  120  is in the second (contracted) position. 
   The contact lens manipulation means  90  comprises a head manipulating means  210  to effect gripping of a contact lens  130  by the head  120  of an eyepiece  50 , to facilitate removal of a contact lens  130  from the eye or its packaging. The head manipulating means  210  comprises a longitudinally elongate sleeve  215  positioned coaxial with and radially extended from the arm  100 . The sleeve  215  defines first and second ends  220 , 230 , the arm  100  being positioned radially inwards of the sleeve  215  and defining a head-contacting end  217 , the first end  220  of the sleeve  215  terminating adjacent to the head-contacting end  217  of the arm  120 . The head  120  and arm  100  are movable relative to the sleeve  215  along the longitudinal axis between a first position in which the head  120  does not engage the sleeve  215  and is in the first extended state ( FIGS. 4A and 4B ), and a second position in which the head  120  engages the sleeve  215  and is deformed into the second contracted state, thereby effecting gripping of a contact lens  130  ( FIGS. 4C and 4D ). 
   The sleeve  215  and the arm  100  are reversibly coupled to one another and the head manipulating means  210  comprises a coupling control means  240  which is capable of coupling and uncoupling the sleeve  215  and the arm  100  between coupled and uncoupled states. In the coupled state the arm  100  moves in conjunction with the sleeve  215 , and in the uncoupled state the arm  100  moves independently of the sleeve  215 . When the head  120  contacts the eyeball  160 , the sleeve  215  and the arm  100  become uncoupled ( FIG. 4B ) such that the arm  100  can retract independently of the sleeve  215 . Upon retraction of the arm  100 , the head  120  contacts the first end  220  of the sleeve  215 , and further retraction of the arm  100  causes the first end  220  of the sleeve  215  to deform the head  120  from the first position to the second position and thereby effect gripping of a contact lens  130  ( FIG. 4C ). 
   The coupling control means  240  is electronic or electromagnetic. Coupling control means  240  is operatively linked to arm movement means  110  such that sleeve  215  and arm  100  are automatically uncoupled when head  120  contacts a contact lens  130  placed in position on the eyeball  160 , prior to retraction of arm  100  and gripping of contact lens  130 . 
   Retraction of arm  100  through sleeve  215  is only a short distance, between 0.3-2.0 cm. 
   Retraction of arm  100  is controlled so as to prevent head  120  and contact lens  130  being pulled through first end  220  of sleeve  215  and preventing damage. The distance of retraction of arm  100  is sufficient to deform head  120  from a first position to a second position such that contact lens  130  is gripped by head  120 , then sleeve  215  and arm  100  are coupled together again, prior to full retraction of coupled arm  100  and sleeve  215  back into body  40  of apparatus  10 . 
   As the coupled arm  100  and sleeve  215  retract into the body  40 , the arm  100  disengages from the head  120  leaving it in the eyepiece  50 , thereby allowing the head  120  to revert from the second (contracted) position where the contact lens  130  is gripped or pinched, to the first (extended) position, where the contact lens  130  is merely supported by the head  120 . 
   In a second embodiment of the invention, the arm does not disengage from the head. To release the grip on the contact lens, the sleeve  215  is automatically uncoupled from the arm, and the arm  100  extends independently of the sleeve  215  until the head  120  returns from the second (contracted) position, in which the contact lens  130  is gripped, to the first (extended) position, in which the contact lens  130  rests on and is supported by the head  120 . 
   The apparatus comprises a three way micro switch  330  which controls the three modes of action-namely, (i) insertion/removal of a contact lens into or from an eye of a user, (ii) installation of a contact lens into an eyepiece  50 , and (iii) removal of a contact lens from an eyepiece  50 . 
   In a first embodiment of the invention, the micro switch  330  is activated by attaching an eyepiece  50  onto the body  40 , and securing it in position with clips provided (not shown). 
   The body  40  can distinguish which eyepiece  50  is being used, where one eyepiece  50  contains a contact lens  130  designed for use with the right eye, and the other eyepiece  50  contains a contact lens  130  designed for use with the left eye. A light or audible signal is relayed to the user to inform them which eye they need to position over the eyepiece  50  in order to install/remove the correct contact lens. 
   In a second embodiment of the invention, where the eyepieces  50  are each attached to a separate body  40 , the micro switch  330  for each body  40  is activated through the use of an external switch positioned on each body  40 . 
   A button  310  is positioned on the external surface of the body  40 , for use by a user to control the contact lens manipulation means  90 . By depressing the button, a user can thus use the body  40  to e.g. install a contact lens  130  into their eye, or remove a contact lens  130  from its packaging and install it into an eyepiece  50 . 
   The cleaning housing  20  ( FIG. 5C ) of the apparatus  10  comprises a contact lens cleaning means  250 , comprising an at least one cleaning arm  260  defining a cleaning head  270 , and a cleaning arm movement means (not shown) communicating with the cleaning arm  260 . 
   The cleaning housing  20  is engageable with eyepieces  50 , such that when the cleaning housing  20  is engaged with an eyepiece  50 , the contact lens cleaning means  250  can effect cleaning of the contact lens  130  contained within either of the eyepieces  50 . The cleaning arm movement means comprises an electric motor (not shown) which is capable of effecting rotational movement of the cleaning head  270  for cleaning a contact lens  130 , by effecting rotational movement of the cleaning arm  260  about it&#39;s longitudinal axis, and is provided with an off centre gear (not shown) which provides a vertically oscillating movement. Contact lens cleaning means  250  is controlled by switch or button (not shown) located on the cleaning housing  20 , and a user can thus clean contact lenses contained within the eyepieces  50  by flicking the switch or pressing the button. 
   Cleaning housing  20  comprises a compartment for storage of contact lens cleaning solutions and components. The body  40  and cleaning housing  20  comprise a compartment in which batteries may be stored, the batteries being used to power electric motors contained within the apparatus  10 . 
   The body  40 , eyepieces  50 , and/or cleaning housing  20  of the apparatus  10  comprise at least one compartment for storage of spare contact lenses and cleaning solutions and components. The body  40 , eyepieces  50  and cleaning housing  20  are manufactured from injection moulded plastic. 
   As is shown in  FIG. 6 , in another embodiment of the present invention the contact lens manipulation means  90  comprises an arm movement means  400  comprising an actuator/drive according to EP 0784252, EP 0534786 and EP0778656 which facilitates movement of the arm and the measurement of forces felt against the arm  100  in real time, such that a contact lens  130  may be manipulated with a high degree of precision, and regulated force. When the arm  100  meets a predefined level of resistance, i.e. as it contacts the eyeball  160 , it stops quickly and accurately such that there is no risk of the apparatus  10  damaging the eye of a user, thereby enhancing user confidence with the apparatus  10 . 
   EXAMPLES 
   The following examples detail the various functions that the apparatus  10  according to the present invention can perform. 
   Removal of Contact Lenses from their Packaging and Installation of Contact Lenses into the Apparatus. 
   A contact lens  130 , immersed within an appropriate storage solution within its packaging can be installed into an eyepiece  50  by pressing the button  310  located on the body  40 . A single extended press of the button  310  by a user will trigger the cycle of movements which enable a contact lens  130  to be installed into an eyepiece  50  of the apparatus  10 . 
   The first stage in this cycle is an extension of the arm  100  of the contact lens manipulation means  90  through the opening  60  until the arm  100  engages the head  120  within the eyepiece  50 . The arm  100  continues to extend until the head  120  contacts the contact lens  130 , at which the point the extension of the arm  100  will precisely stop. Next, the sleeve  215  is automatically uncoupled from the arm, and the arm  100  retracts independently of the sleeve  215  until the head  120  is deformed from the first (extended) position to the second (contracted) position, thereby effecting gripping of the contact lens  130 . Then, the arm  100  and the sleeve  215  are automatically coupled, and the arm  100  and sleeve  215  retract until the head  120  disengages from the arm  100 , leaving it in the eyepiece  50 . 
   When the head  120  disengages from the coupled arm/sleeve, the head  120  returns from the second (contracted) position (in which the contact lens  130  is gripped) to the first (extended) position, in which the contact lens  130  rests on and is supported by the head  120 . The coupled arm/sleeve continues to retract until it is fully contained within the body  40 . 
   Retention of Eye Lids 
   The eyelid opening means  70  is activated when a user, looking into the opening  60  of the eyepiece  50 , contacts the eyepiece  50  against their eyelids  95 . The eyepiece  50  is sprung so that it retracts when pressed against the eyelids  95 , and as it retracts the arms of the eyelid opening means  70  can contact the eyelids  95 . As the eyepiece  50  fully retracts, the arms of the eyelid opening means  70  move along paths defined by guide tracks  150  such that the eyelids  95  are gently moved into an open position, and retained in that position prior to insertion and removal of a contact lens  130  into or from the eye. The pressure is controlled by the user, helping them feel as though they are in control. 
   Insertion of Contact Lenses into an Eye 
   A contact lens  130 , immersed within an appropriate storage or cleaning solution within an eyepiece  50  and being positioned on the head  120  of the eyepiece  50  may be inserted into the eye by pressing the button  310  located on the body  40 . The user looks into the opening  60  of the eyepiece  50  and the eyelid opening means  70  retains the eyelids  95  in an open position. A single press of the button  310  will trigger the cycle of events which leads to insertion of the contact lens  130  into the eye of the user. The first step is an extension of the arm  100  through the opening  60  until the arm  100  engages the head  120  of the eyepiece  50 . The arm  100  extends further until the contact lens  130  contacts the eyeball  160 . The extension of the arm  100  is controlled and stopped when the contact lens  130  touches the eyeball  160 . Upon contact with the eyeball  160 , the contact lens  130  is sucked onto the eyeball  160  through capillary action of the solution on the contact lens  130 . After insertion of the contact lens  130 , the arm  100  is automatically retracted, disengaging from the head  120 , and retracted further until it is fully contained within body  40  of the apparatus  10 . 
   Removal of Contact Lenses from an Eye 
   Following insertion of a contact lens  130  into an eye, a single press of the button  310  located on the body  40  will trigger the cycle of events which leads to removal of the contact lens  130  from the eye of the user. The user looks into the opening  60  of the eyepiece  50  and the eyelid opening means  70  retains the eyelids  95  in an open position. 
   Following the pressing of the button, in the first step, the arm  100  and sleeve  215  are automatically coupled, and the coupled arm/sleeve extends through the opening  60  until the arm  100  engages the head  120 . The coupled arm/sleeve continues to extend until it contacts the contact lens  130  positioned on the eyeball  160 . The extension of the arm  100  is controlled and stopped when the head  120  encounters a programmed amount of resistance as it touches the contact lens  130  positioned on the eyeball  160 . The arm/sleeve retracts a short distance, and then the arm  100  and sleeve  215  are uncoupled. The arm  100  then retracts a set distance until the head  120  is deformed from the first (extended) position to the second (contracted) position, thereby gripping the contact lens  130 . As the contact lens has been in the eye for a day the moisture content has lowered, resulting in the contact lens  130  becoming tacky to the touch and thereby facilitating the removal process. The arm  100  and the sleeve  215  are then coupled together and they retract until the head  120  is contained within the eyepiece  50 , and then the arm  100  continues to retract until it is contained within the body  40 , leaving the head  120  (and the contact lens  130 ) in the eyepiece  50 . 
   Cleaning of Contact Lenses 
   Cleaning solution is applied to a contact lens  130  contained within an eyepiece  50 . The cleaning solutions are held within the cleaning housing  20 . The contact lens  130  can be cleaned by engaging the cleaning housing  20  with an eyepiece  50  or eyepieces  50 . The eyepiece  50  does not have to be attached to the body  40 , although cleaning can be performed if the eyepiece  50  is attached to the body  40 . Engaging the cleaning housing  20  with one or more eyepieces  50  or eyepieces  50  creates a seal which prevents the contact lens  130  being exposed to dust or micro-organisms. By pressing the button (not shown) located on the cleaning housing  20 , a user activates an electric motor (not shown) which is attached to an off centre gear which causes both rotation of the cleaning heads  270  and a vertically oscillating movement. The cleaning last for approximately 30 seconds, after which the contact lens  130  is clean. The solution is automatically drained out of the eyepiece  50 , leaving the contact lens  130  substantially solution free to be inserted into an eye. 
   Storage of Contact Lenses 
   Contact lenses may be stored in the eyepiece  50  either before or after cleaning by adding a storage solution (e.g. sterile saline) to the eyepiece  50  to keep the contact lens  130  wet. Prior to insertion into an eye, the contact lenses may be cleaned.