An intraocular lens, comprising: a shape changing optical element having an outer lens portion and a core lens portion, the outer lens portion including a center section surrounding the optical axis of the optical element, the center section located on or near an anterior face of the optical element; a force translation element having a first end region coupled to the optical element and a second end region extending towards a ciliary structure, wherein the force translation element is configured to functionally transmit movements of the ciliary structure during ciliary muscle contraction into a compressive force directed radially inward toward the optical axis and exerted upon the optical element to effect an accommodating shape change of the optical element; and an attachment portion coupled to the second end region of the force translation element and configured to contact the ciliary structure upon movement of the ciliary structure during ciliary muscle contraction; and a haptic coupled to and extending outward from the optical element to anchor the optical element in the eye, wherein the haptic is positionable within a sulcus; wherein the center section of the outer lens portion of the optical element has a reduced thickness or hardness relative to the remainder of the anterior face so as to outwardly bow upon application of the compressive force on the optical element directed radially inward toward the optical axis increasing the internal pressure of the core lens portion and creating the accommodating shape change of the center section of the outer lens portion for providing near vision correction power while the remainder of the anterior face is more resistant to reshaping under the compressive force for providing distance vision correction power; and wherein the optical element is configured to take on a disaccommodating shape change upon removal of the compressive force on the optical element. a shape changing optical element having an outer lens portion and a core lens portion, the outer lens portion including a center section surrounding the optical axis of the optical element, the center section located on or near an anterior face of the optical element; a force translation element having a first end region coupled to the optical element and a second end region extending towards a ciliary structure, wherein the force translation element is configured to functionally transmit movements of the ciliary structure during ciliary muscle contraction into a compressive force directed radially inward toward the optical axis and exerted upon the optical element to effect an accommodating shape change of the optical element; and an attachment portion coupled to the second end region of the force translation element and configured to contact the ciliary structure upon movement of the ciliary structure during ciliary muscle contraction; and a haptic coupled to and extending outward from the optical element to anchor the optical element in the eye, wherein the haptic is positionable within a sulcus; wherein the center section of the outer lens portion of the optical element has a reduced thickness or hardness relative to the remainder of the anterior face so as to outwardly bow upon application of the compressive force on the optical element directed radially inward toward the optical axis increasing the internal pressure of the core lens portion and creating the accommodating shape change of the center section of the outer lens portion for providing near vision correction power while the remainder of the anterior face is more resistant to reshaping under the compressive force for providing distance vision correction power; and wherein the optical element is configured to take on a disaccommodating shape change upon removal of the compressive force on the optical element.