An intraocular lens delivery apparatus (10) is disclosed to allow more efficient delivery of a rolled up lens. The delivery apparatus comprises a cartridge (16) having a bore, a handpiece (16) with a notch (28) for receiving the cartridge and a plunger located in the handpiece, the plunger having a tip (22) that reciprocates or oscillates within the bore. A helical grooved outer shaft (24) with a knob (26) is located on the proximal end of the plunger, a ball lock ring (38) rotationally mounted on the handpiece, the ball lock ring having a plurality of locking balls that ride within the groove of the outer shaft. With a plurality of release angles in the ball lock ring corresponding to the locking balls, the release angles alternatively force the locking balls into and out of the groove in the outer shaft in response to rotation of the ball lock ring as the knob is turned, so the plunger is slid linearly to an injection position by pushing the knob when the locking balls are out of the groove. The plunger can also be screwed or turned to the injection position by turning the knob when the locking balls are in the groove. This allows the intraocular lens to be selectively injected either by axial sliding or threaded advancement.
