Intraocular accommodating lens and methods of use

A method of inserting an accommodating intraocular lens into an eye of a patient during a cataract procedure, the method comprising:

• removing from said eye an anterior portion of a capsular bag of said eye;
• removing from said eye a diseased, natural lens from said capsular bag;
• inserting into said capsular bag a first portion of the intraocular lens while leaving a second portion of the intraocular lens inside the eye but outside the capsular bag,
• wherein said first portion of the intraocular lens comprises an optical element and wherein said second portion of said intraocular lens comprises a tissue-contacting portion of at least one force translation element, the at least one force translation element operatively coupled to the intraocular lens and capable of changing an optical power of the intraocular lens by applying a radially inward compressive force to a first region of the accommodating intraocular lens to expand a second region of the accommodating intraocular lens;
• and
• engaging the tissue-contacting portion of the at least one force translation element with a portion of the ciliary tissue, wherein the tissue-contacting portion of the force translation element abuts but does not penetrate the ciliary tissue upon contact with the ciliary tissue and wherein the tissue-contacting portion comprises a three-dimensional element that fills a space adjacent the ciliary tissue.