Iris-claw (Artisan®/Artiflex®) phakic intraocular lenses for high myopia and high hyperopia

Artisan®/Artiflex® phakic intraocular lenses (pIOLs) demonstrate reversibility, high optical quality with better best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, refractive predictability, and stability compared with keratorefractive surgeries, in addition to the potential gain in visual acuity in myopic patients due to retinal magnification. With proper anatomical conditions, this lens also shows good results in hyperopic patients. Combined with corneal refractive surgery as an additional procedure, this pIOL shows the most predictable optical result. The main complications of iris-fixated anterior chamber pIOLs are chronic subclinical inflammation, corneal endothelial cell loss, cataract formation, secondary glaucoma, iris atrophy and dislocation. Comprehensive preoperative evaluation and long-term postoperative follow-up examinations are needed to monitor for and prevent serious complications. This article is a review of iris-claw pIOLs, and addresses the results and their complications.