I haven't used these, but when I Googled I found this:
Clover Desk Needle Threader
One of the best inventions ever! Available in pink, lime green and purple. Place the eye of the needle into the threader, lay the thread across, push the lever down and the needle is threaded! Great for sharps, milliners, and betweens. Use the Clover Embroidery Threader for floss and pearl cotton.
Ref # 4071
It looks as if the desk type will not handle perle cotton, but that the Clover Embroidery Threader will.