Apparatus (40) and methods for introducing a solid or semi-solid intraocular drug-containing implant (68) into the anterior chamber of an eye are described. The drug-containing implant can be a rod-shaped biodegradable implant that may provide for the extended release of the drug and may be effective for treating a medical condition of the eye. The apparatus is economically designed in the shape or style of a pen with tactile surfaces for easy gripping, a needle-rotation knob (52) to permit orientation of the needle (56) bevel in relation to the eye, and a spring-actuated mechanism for consistent deployment of the implant.