Originally developed for aphakia, phakic versions have also been produced to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
They are suited for correction of eyes where corneal refractive surgery is not applicable.
[1] Early models were sutured to the iris with a stitch; the claw fixation method made iris stitching unnecessary.
The iris-claw lens is fixated to the anterior iris surface by enclavation of a fold of iris tissue into the two diametrically opposed claws of the lens.
[clarification needed] The fixation sites are located in the midperiphery of the iris, which is immobile during pupillary movement.