The present invention relates to a pre-load unit (P) for inserting lenses into the eye of a human or animal, comprising a housing (2) with means for securing the unit to a grip piece (7), a lens-receiving part arranged on or in the housing (2) and comprising a section that protrudes from the housing (2) and that has two separate leaf-like units (3) which, at least at their ends directed away from the housing (2), are in releasable contact with each other and there form a chamber for storing an optical lens, a slide which is arranged movably in the interior of the housing (2) and can be moved between the leaf-like units (3) of the lens-receiving unit. The present invention further relates to an applicator comprising a pre-load unit P of this kind and a grip piece (7), wherein the pre-load unit P and the grip piece (7) are connected to each other in such a way that the pre-load unit P can be moved inside the grip piece (7).
