CustomFlex Artificial Iris surgery implants a custom-made, hand-painted foldable silicone prosthesis to replace an absent or damaged iris. It treats congenital aniridia and iris loss from trauma or previous surgery, relieving the severe glare and light sensitivity that follow when the eye can no longer control how much light enters, and restoring a natural, colour-matched appearance. The foldable device is inserted through a small incision and fixed in the capsular bag, the ciliary sulcus or with sutures depending on the eye, frequently combined with cataract or lens surgery. At our partner clinics, projected UK self-pay pricing is from £9,500 per eye for the custom device and surgery, rising for complex reconstruction. This is specialist anterior-segment surgery performed by consultant ophthalmic surgeons.
What is the CustomFlex Artificial Iris?
The iris is the coloured ring at the front of the eye. It works like the aperture of a camera, with the pupil at its centre opening and closing to control how much light reaches the retina. When the iris is missing or badly damaged, the eye loses that control: light floods in, causing intense glare, dazzle and light sensitivity (photophobia), often with blurred vision and a very visible cosmetic defect.
The CustomFlex Artificial Iris is a prosthetic iris made from thin, flexible medical-grade silicone. Each device is individually custom-made and hand-painted from a photograph of the patient’s healthy fellow eye, so the colour, pattern and detail are matched as closely as possible. Because the silicone is foldable, it can be rolled and inserted through a relatively small incision and then unfolded inside the eye. It was the first artificial iris to gain regulatory approval and is used worldwide for both functional (glare and light control) and reconstructive cosmetic purposes.
Who the artificial iris can help
- Congenital aniridia — a rare condition where the iris is absent or severely underdeveloped from birth
- Traumatic iris loss — iris damage or loss after a penetrating injury or blunt trauma to the eye
- Surgical iris defects — iris loss following previous eye surgery or complications
- Iris coloboma — a congenital gap or hole in the iris
- Disabling glare and photophobia — from any large iris defect, even when central vision is reasonable
- Cosmetic asymmetry — a visibly abnormal or mismatched iris affecting confidence
Struggling with severe glare or a visible iris defect? A specialist anterior-segment assessment confirms whether a custom artificial iris is suitable for your eye.
Book a specialist assessmentArtificial iris vs other options
Iris defects can be managed cosmetically, optically or surgically. The right choice depends on the size of the defect, the health of the rest of the eye and whether your main problem is glare, vision or appearance. Your consultant will tailor the recommendation after a full assessment.
Artificial iris implantation is frequently combined with cataract surgery or other implant lens procedures, and where there is also astigmatism a toric IOL may be used at the same time. In eyes that have suffered severe trauma, iris reconstruction may form one part of a wider plan that can include vitreoretinal surgery or, in the most damaged corneas, a corneal transplant. See the full treatments hub for related procedures.
What happens during artificial iris surgery
Artificial iris implantation is a specialist intraocular operation performed by a consultant anterior-segment surgeon, usually under local anaesthetic, sometimes with sedation or general anaesthesia for complex reconstruction. The exact technique is tailored to each eye.
- A custom device is manufactured in advance, hand-painted to match a photograph of your other eye, so colour and pattern are personalised before the day of surgery.
- The eye is anaesthetised and a small incision is made at the edge of the cornea.
- Any associated problem — such as a cataract — is addressed first, with the natural lens removed and an intraocular lens implanted if needed.
- The foldable artificial iris is trimmed to size, rolled and inserted through the incision, then unfolded and positioned in the capsular bag, the ciliary sulcus, or secured with sutures depending on the support available in the eye.
- The device is centred and stabilised, the incision is closed, and the eye is checked and shielded.
Because every case differs — from a straightforward implant alongside cataract surgery to a complex reconstruction of a severely injured eye — your surgeon will explain your specific surgical plan, anaesthetic and expected outcome in detail beforehand.
Recovery after artificial iris surgery
Recovery depends on how much reconstruction was needed, but most patients notice an immediate reduction in glare once the new aperture is in place. Healing of the eye continues over several weeks.
Day of surgery
The eye is shielded and may ache mildly. Vision is blurred at first. You rest, then go home the same day in most cases. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drops begin.
First 1–2 weeks
Glare and light sensitivity are usually much improved. Mild redness and grittiness settle. Avoid rubbing the eye, swimming and strenuous activity; attend your early review.
Weeks 4–8
Inflammation continues to settle and vision stabilises. Drops are gradually reduced. Your surgeon confirms the device is well centred and the eye pressure is stable.
Longer term
The cosmetic and functional result settles fully. Long-term monitoring of eye pressure and the back of the eye continues, as complex eyes need ongoing specialist care.
Cost & funding
Artificial iris surgery is highly individualised, and the cost reflects the bespoke, hand-painted device and the complexity of the surgery:
- From £9,500 per eye for the custom device and implantation in a straightforward case.
- Complex reconstruction — combined with cataract or lens surgery, scar release or trauma repair — is typically £12,000–£16,000+ per eye and is quoted individually.
- Specialist assessment: £250–£450, often credited against surgery if you proceed.
Where iris loss results from trauma or a medical condition, treatment may be covered by private medical insurance — see insured patients for how we handle authorisation. Self-pay patients can spread the cost via finance. Because no two eyes are the same, every artificial iris case is quoted individually after a specialist assessment.