Abstract: The invention relates to a synthetic intraocular lens swellable in physiologic saline which is made from a polymer or a copolymer, at least one component of which is hydrophylic and the other one may be hydrophobic, crosslinked or non-crosslinked, whereas the content of swelling agent in it is below the equilibrium state whereby its glass-transition temperature T.sub.g is between -5.degree. C. and 45.degree. C. The lens is deformed above T.sub.g into a form suitable for surgical insertion, cooled below T.sub.g, and stored and surgically applied at the temperature below T.sub.g, and then relaxed in eye by post-swelling and heating. The lens may be incompletely swollen, instead in physiologic saline or water, in another physiologically harmless liquid, advantageously in glycerol.