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Iridology Before engaging in any complementary medical technique, you should be aware that many of these techniques have not been evaluated in scientific studies. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about whether practitioners are required to be professionally licensed. If you plan to visit a practitioner, it is recommended that you choose one who is licensed by a recognized national organization and who abides by the organization's standards. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before starting any new therapeutic technique.
Iridology is the study of the iris (the colored part of the eye). The intention of iridology is to gain information about underlying diseases. Analysis of the iris has ancient roots, but iridology in its present sense was established by Philippi Meyers in the 1600s. Developed in Hungary in the 1800s by Dr. Ignatz von Pezcely and Nils Liljequist, iridology was later adapted by Bernard Jensen, an American chiropractor. Jensen correlated organs, body parts and functions with specific locations in the iris using detailed diagrams. Iridology grew in popularity in the 1900s. Studies have been published in Germany, Sweden, Norway, England, France, USA, Australia and elsewhere, and iridology is practiced worldwide. Iridologists visually assess irises by directly examining them or by studying close-up photographs. Some iridologists use sclerology, a technique that studies lines on the sclera (the white part of the eye), which they believe can show changes in health patterns and conditions. One type of iridology called Rayid studies eye patterns to evaluate mental, emotional, spiritual and physical balance. Naturopaths and other practitioners may also practice iridology.
Iridology is based on the belief that each body region and organ has a corresponding location in the iris. Abnormalities in the iris are suggested to represent abnormalities in the respective organ. Iridologists believe that the degrees of light and darkness in the iris reflect general health. An iridologist may use an ophthalmoscope to examine the iris or may use a special camera to take pictures of the iris. These color photographs or transparencies may be magnified in an attempt to identify weakness in the body or to diagnose disease. Microscopes and computer imaging may be also used. Colors, marks, textures, fibers and pigmentation changes in the iris, as well as in the pupil and sclera, may be studied. These signs are thought to correlate with disease. Different colors or rings within the iris are believed to represent different aspects of health and to play a role in diagnosis. Some therapists are using iridology as a basis for recommending dietary supplements and/or herbs.
Scientists have studied iridology for the following uses: Disease diagnosis | There is no proven scientific basis for iridology. Several studies in humans report that iridology is not effective for diagnosing disease. | Hypertension diagnosis | Preliminary research suggests that iridology may assist in the identification of individual predispositions for vascular diseases such as hypertension. Further research is needed to confirm these findings. | Cancer (diagnosis) | One study using only one practitioner to evaluate the irises of cancer patients found no evidence of diagnostic accuracy. There is a lack of evidence supporting iridology as a diagnostic tool in cancer. | Gallbladder disease (diagnosis) | One small study examined the ability of iridologists to diagnose gallbladder disease from slide photographs of patients with the disease and found a lack of evidence of agreement or diagnostic accuracy. There is a lack of evidence supporting iridology as a diagnostic tool in gallbladder disease. | Kidney disease (diagnosis) | One study submitted photographs of irises of kidney disease patients to practicing iridologists and found a lack of evidence of accurate detection of kidney disease. There is a lack of evidence supporting iridology as a diagnostic tool in kidney disease. |
Iridology has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are life-threatening. Consult with a health care provider before using iridology for any use. Diagnosis of:
Allergies
Anemia
Arthritis
Asthma
Circulatory disorders
Cough
Diabetes
Digestive system disorders
Eczema
Endocrine disorders
Glandular disorders
Heart disease | Immune system problems
Intestinal disorders
Liver disease
Low blood cell counts
Lung disease
Problems with blood sugar metabolism
Psoriasis
Stomach disorders
Tonsillitis
Ulcerative colitis
Underactive pancreas
Upper respiratory tract infections
Urinary stones |
Iridology should not be used alone to diagnose disease. Studies of iridology have reported incorrect diagnoses, and potentially severe medical problems may thus go undiagnosed. In addition, research suggests that iridology may lead to inappropriate treatment. Iridology itself has not been reported as harmful in otherwise healthy people.
Differences in pupil size, magnification and the effect of oblique light may affect iridologist readings of patient photos. There is little agreement among iridologists regarding the iris key (irigraphy) and the interpretation of different sights. Some modern diseases are missing in the diagnostic system. Research suggests that iridology is not an effective method to diagnose or help treat any specific medical condition. According to the International Iridology Research Association, iridology cannot name a disease, only a medical doctor can.
The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.
- Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research
Selected Scientific Studies: Iridology Natural Standard has reviewed all of the currently available medical literature to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created. Some of the more recent studies are listed below: - Barrett B. Complementary and alternative medicine: what's it all about? WMJ 2001;100(7):20-26.
- Demea S. Correlation between iridology and general pathology. Oftalmologia 2002;55(4):64-69.
- Ernst E. Iridology: not useful and potentially harmful. Arch Ophthalmol 2000;118(1):120-121.
- Murphy CJ, Paul-Murphy J. Iridology. Arch Ophthalmol 2000;118(8):1141.
- Metge F. Analytical comment on "Ernst E. Iridology: not useful and potentially harmful. Arch Ophthalmol 2000;118:120-1021." J Fr Ophtalmol 2000;Dec, 23(10):1069
- Natural Standard Research Collaboration, Chief Editors: Ulbricht C, Basch E, Natural Standard Herb and Supplement Reference. Evidence-Based Clinical Reviews, USA. Elsevier/Mosby, 2005.
- Niggemann B, Gruber C. Unproven diagnostic procedures in IgE-mediated allergic diseases. Allergy 2004;59(8):806-808.
- Norn M. Analysis of iris: history and future. Dan Medicinhist Arbog 2003;103-117.
- Um JY, Hwang CY, Hwang WJ. Association between iris constitution and apolipoprotein e gene polymorphism in hypertensives. J Altern Complement Med 2004;10(6):1101-1105.
- Yoo CS, Hwang WJ, Hong SH, et al. Relationship between iris constitution analysis and TNF-alpha gene polymorphism in hypertensives. Am J Chin Med 2007;35(4):621-629.
Last updated May 01, 2008
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