An intraocular lens injector compresses an intraocular lens by rolling the lens into a tight spiral and injects the compressed lens though a relatively small incision in the eye, approximately 2-3 millimeters in length, resulting from a phacoemulsification procedure. The intraocular lens is inserted into a receiving channel of the injector in an uncompressed state and is urged into a cylindrical passageway. As the intraocular lens advances into the cylindrical passageway, the lens will roll upon itself into a tightly rolled spiral within the confines of the cylindrical passageway. An insertion rod is inserted into an open end of the cylindrical passageway and advances the compressed lens down the passageway. As the lens exits the passageway and enters the eye, the lens will expand back to its uncompressed state.