The Artisan/Artiflex Lens design is developed by Prof. Jan G.F. Worst M.D., winner of, among others,  the prestigious Binkhorst Award for innovation in ophthalmology in 1976. 
The current lens is the result of over 20 years of clinical experience with a unique fixation concept. It was first developed for the correction of aphakia.
 

• 1978 Introduction of the first Artisan Lens, originally called "Iris Claw" (model 205). This model was developed for the correction of aphakia following cataract surgery. 
  The lens has been implanted in approximately 300.000 aphakic eyes worldwide. Nowadays Artisan Aphakia lenses are increasingly used as the back-up lens of choice by many cataract surgeons.
  
• 1984 Development of the first Artisan Lens for pupil occlusion. This device is indicated in cases of intractable diplopia, due to ocular muscle imbalance. It is an all black device that functions as a cover over the pupil. The vaulted design permits implantation in both phakic and aphakic eyes.
  
  
  
• 1986,  The concept was modified for use in a phakic eye.  First implantation on November 2 by Paul U. Fechner, Germany. It had a biconcave design.
  
  
  
• 1988 Introduction of a custom designed Artisan Lens for iris reconstruction. 
  
• 1991 Following a 5 year European feasibility study, modifications were incorporated into the phakic lens design, resulting in a convex-concave Artisan Myopia lens. The new design decreased the potential for complications, improved the optical performance and facilitated the surgical implantation technique.
  
  
  
  
• 1992 First Artisan Hyperopia Lens implanted.
  
  
  
• 1996 Development of a redesigned Artisan Aphakia Lens.
  
  
  
  .
• 2001 Market introduction of the Artisan Toric Lens
  
  
  
  
• 2003 Development of a flexible Artisan lens, the Artiflex Lens.
   
  
• 2004 FDA Approval of the Artisan Myopia Lens.
   
• 2005 Market introduction of the Artiflex Myopia lens.