An intraocular lens (&ldquoIOL&rdquo) cartridge includes an upper wall and a lower wall, together defining a lumen for receiving an IOL. The proximal end of the cartridge has an open slot cut into and through the entire thickness of the upper wall so to allow the leading haptic of the IOL to extend above the upper wall. The cartridge includes a proximal-end feature to facilitate folding of the leading haptic radially inward relative to the optic as the IOL moves into the lumen.
