Back loaded IOL insertion cartridge

An intraocular lens injector system for controlling delivery of an intraocular lens having an optic, a leading haptic, and a trailing haptic, comprising:

• an injector cartridge body having a proximal opening sized to receive an intraocular lens, the proximal opening generally defining a modified oval that has a larger horizontal width than its vertical height and has opposite lateral corners that generally exhibit symmetry about a central vertical plane, a hollow interior extending longitudinally from the proximal opening to a distal insertion tip, and a holding area within the hollow interior spaced from the proximal opening, the proximal opening being interrupted by a peripheral slot that extends from the proximal opening in a distal direction and terminates prior to reaching the holding area, wherein the hollow interior of the cartridge defines an upper wall and a lower wall along the central vertical plane, wherein the upper wall is generally horizontal, and the lower wall is angled and gradually converges toward the upper wall in a distal direction;
• and
• a handpiece having a pushrod, the handpiece having a cradle for receiving the cartridge, wherein the pushrod is aligned in the handpiece to pass longitudinally through the hollow interior of the cartridge and urge an intraocular lens therethrough.

An intraocular lens injector cartridge for controlling passage of an intraocular lens having an optic, a leading haptic, and a trailing haptic, comprising:

• an injector cartridge body having a proximal opening sized to receive an intraocular lens, the proximal opening generally defining a modified oval that has a larger horizontal width than its vertical height and has opposite lateral corners that generally exhibit symmetry about a central vertical plane, a hollow interior extending longitudinally from the proximal opening to a distal insertion tip, and a holding area within the hollow interior spaced from the proximal opening, the proximal opening being interrupted by a peripheral slot that extends from the proximal opening in a distal direction and terminates prior to reaching the holding area, wherein the optic of the intraocular lens has a diameter, the horizontal width of the proximal opening is larger than the diameter of the optic and the horizontal width of the holding area is smaller than the diameter of the optic, such that the optic deforms as it is inserted from the proximal opening to the holding area, and wherein the holding area has a substantially constant horizontal width along a length of at least 2 mm.