An iris recognition system and method for operating same is disclosed. The iris recognition system includes an image sensor, a buffer, a comparator, autofocus logic, and gain control logic. The image sensor is configured to obtain at least one image from a camera. The buffer communicatively connected to the image sensor stores values associated with the pixels in the image sensor. The comparator communicatively connected to the buffer obtains a coarse segmentation of an iris of a subject. The autofocus logic for adjusts the focus of a lens associated with the camera. The gain control logic adjusts the gain of the image sensor. The functions of obtaining a coarse segmentation, adjusting the focus of the lens, and adjusting the gain are based on the locations of the pixels with the highest value in the image sensor as stored in the buffer.