Provided therein are apparatuses, systems and methods for storing and retrievinga corneal implant and for delivering the corneal implant in or on the cornea. Inan embodiment, a insertion system comprises an inserter for delivering a cornealimplant to a desired location in or on the cornea. The inserter has a holding spaceat its distal end for holding a corneal implant therein. A solution may substantiallyfill the holding space with the corneal implant to keep the implant hydrated andto hold the implant in the holding space by the surface tension of the solution.The corneal implant may be preloaded in the holding space of the inserter and storedin a storage container filled with storage fluid, e.g., saline, until use. Todeliver the corneal implant, the inserter is positioned at the desired location,and the corneal implant released from the holding space of the inserter.
