The Artisan iris-claw phakic IOL (sold as Verisyse in the United States) is an implantable lens that clips onto the front of the iris to correct very high myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism while leaving your own natural lens untouched. It is reserved for prescriptions too strong for laser eye surgery, and is most often considered when a posterior-chamber ICL is unsuitable. At our partner clinics it starts from £3,400 per eye, all-inclusive of assessment, surgery and aftercare.
What is an iris-claw phakic IOL?
A phakic intraocular lens (IOL) is an artificial lens implanted inside the eye in addition to your natural lens — "phakic" means the natural lens stays in place. This makes it fundamentally different from cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange, where the natural lens is removed.
The iris-claw design — branded Artisan and Artiflex in the UK and Europe, and Verisyse in the US — fixes the lens to the front of the iris using two tiny "claws" that enclose a small fold of iris tissue. Because the iris has very few nerve endings at these points, the lens sits securely without affecting how the pupil works. The natural lens behind it continues to focus, so younger patients keep their reading ability.
Who is it for?
- Very high prescriptions — typically beyond the safe range of LASIK, SMILE or surface laser
- Thin or irregular corneas where laser reshaping is not advisable
- Patients unsuitable for a posterior-chamber ICL — for example where the space behind the iris is too shallow
- Adults under ~50 who want to preserve their natural focusing lens rather than replace it
Suitability is confirmed at a detailed consultation including corneal scans, anterior-chamber measurements and an endothelial cell count. Your surgeon will compare every option with you — for many patients the EVO ICL is the first-choice phakic lens, with the iris-claw IOL reserved for eyes where it is not appropriate.
Prescription too high for laser? A phakic IOL assessment measures your cornea and the space inside your eye to find the safest lens for you.
Book a phakic IOL assessmentLens options
The iris-claw platform comes in two forms, plus a toric version for astigmatism. Your surgeon recommends the right one based on your anatomy and prescription.
Prefer to keep a natural focusing lens but unsure which platform suits you? Compare the iris-claw lens with the posterior-chamber ICL family, including the STAAR EVO+ ICL and Visian Toric ICL.
What happens during the procedure
Iris-claw IOL implantation is performed under local anaesthetic as a day case. You stay awake but feel no pain. The procedure takes around 20–30 minutes per eye, and each eye is usually treated on a separate day.
- Anaesthetic drops (sometimes a small injection around the eye) numb the eye, and the surface is cleaned with sterile solution.
- The pupil is kept small with medication so the natural lens behind is protected.
- A small corneal incision is made and the iris-claw lens is introduced into the front chamber of the eye.
- The surgeon gently enclaves each claw onto a tiny fold of iris to centre and fix the lens in front of the pupil.
- A small opening may be made in the iris (or with a laser beforehand) to maintain healthy fluid flow. The incision is closed and the eye is shielded.
Recovery week-by-week
Vision improves quickly, though the eye settles over several weeks — especially after the rigid Artisan lens, which uses a slightly larger incision.
Day of surgery
Vision is hazy and the eye may feel gritty. Eye shield worn for the first night. Drops begin. No driving.
Days 1–7
First post-op review. Vision sharpens day by day. Avoid rubbing the eye, swimming and dusty environments.
Weeks 2–4
Anti-inflammatory drops continue and taper. Most patients return to work and driving once vision and comfort allow.
Beyond a month
Vision stabilises. The second eye is scheduled, and long-term checks monitor the lens position and the eye's inner cell layer.
Iris-claw phakic IOL cost
Our prices are all-inclusive: consultation, scans, the surgery and theatre fees, your lens, post-op drops and follow-up reviews — with no hidden extras.
- Self-pay: from £3,400 per eye (Artisan); £3,900 Artiflex; from £4,200 for toric versions.
- Insurance: medically indicated cases may be covered; we help with authorisation.
- Finance: 0% options available — ask our team for a personalised quote.
For a full comparison of implantable-lens pricing, see our ICL and phakic IOL cost guide and implant lens options.