A plunger for an IOL injector device includes a shaft with a distal tip and a compressible sleeve positioned about the shaft with the tip extending forwardly of the sleeve. In a first stage of IOL advancement through the injector device, the plunger tip engages and pushes the IOL through a first section of the injector body. In a second stage of IOL advancement, the sleeve enters the narrowing section of the injector body toward the open tip thereof with the IOL and sleeve both undergoing compression. The sleeve compresses and lengthens in a forward direction ultimately enveloping the plunger distal tip. Viscoelastic applied inside the injector accumulates between the leading edge of the compressed sleeve and the compressed IOL thereby creating hydraulic pressure which pushes the compressed IOL through the remainder of the injector body and out the open distal tip thereof.
