OBJECTIVE To evaluate the change in higher-order aberrations (HOAs) after implantation of a foldable iris-claw phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) in myopic eyes. METHODS Department of Ophthalmology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany. METHODS This prospective nonrandomized comparative self-controlled trial included 41 eyes that had implantation of a foldable iris-claw pIOL between July 2003 and November 2004. All patient data for HOAs (Zernike coefficient) were measured and calculated using the same pupil size preoperatively and postoperatively, and the root-mean-square (RMS) wavefront error was calculated. Examinations were performed preoperatively as well as 1 week and 3, 6, and 12 months after pIOL implantation. RESULTS The mean preoperative sphere was -8.12 diopters (D) +/- 2.01 (SD) (range -12.25 to -3.75 D) and the mean preoperative cylinder, -0.90 +/- 0.62 D (range -2.50 to 0.00 D). The Z3(1) and Z(3)(-1) coefficients decreased after implantation of the foldable iris-claw pIOL, but the decrease was not statistically significant (P = .078 and P = .45, respectively). There was a statistically significant reduction in Z4(0) in the first postoperative week (P = .038), but the decrease was not significant thereafter. There was a statistically significant reduction in total RMS wavefront error from preoperatively to all values postoperatively (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS Over a 12-month follow-up, 3rd-order and 4th-order HOAs did not increase after foldable iris-claw pIOL implantation in myopic eyes.