Iridology
Iridology is an alternative health assessment technique that involves examining the iris of the eye to predict an individual's state of health. This practice, first described in the 1600s but developed in the nineteenth century by Hungarian physician Ignatz von Péczely, posits that specific markings in the iris correspond to the health and function of organs and tissues in the body. Practitioners use tools such as magnifying glasses and flashlights, along with iris charts that organize the iris into zones linked to various body organs, to analyze patterns, colors, and light variations in the iris.
While proponents suggest that iridology can reveal sites of irritation, disease, and nutritional imbalances, scientific investigations have largely discredited these claims. Research indicates that the iris remains relatively unchanged throughout a person's life, and numerous studies have shown that iridologists do not perform better than chance when attempting to identify health issues based on iris examination. Although considered safe, misinterpretations by practitioners can lead to unnecessary anxiety or misplaced confidence in one's health status, potentially delaying necessary medical treatment. As of the twenty-first century, the medical community largely advises individuals to seek conventional medical care rather than rely on iridology for health assessments.
Iridology
DEFINITION: The alternative technique of predicting a person’s state of health by examining the iris of one's eye.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USE: Diagnosis
Overview
Though the first description of the principles of iridology was first noted in the 1600s, Hungarian physician Ignatz von Péczely invented the technique known as iridology in the nineteenth century. After studying the iris, the part of the eye that determines its color, Péczely suggested a direct relationship between the markings in the iris and tissue changes and organ function in the body.
Mechanism of Action
Iridology assumes that every organ in the human body is connected by nerve impulses to a particular location in the iris. The health of an organ can be predicted by examining patterns in the iris using a magnifying glass and a flashlight and then using computer analysis of photographs of the eye rather than examining the organ itself to predict a person’s health. The four principles of iridology include blood circulation, the condition of the nerves, the condition of the lymph system, and adequate nutrition. The principles and practices of iridology are similar to those of reflexology, which uses the feet as roadmaps to the body and its functioning.
Uses and Applications
Iridology claims that the patterns, structures, colors, and degrees of lightness or darkness in the iris reveal sites of irritation, injury, degeneration, or disease of specific tissues and organs. Levels of toxicity, and nutritional and chemical imbalances, can be observed. Appropriate action can then be taken to cleanse and strengthen the body.
Scientific Evidence
The medical profession recognizes that certain symptoms of nonocular disease (those diseases affecting a part of the body other than the eyes) can be detected by examination of the eye. Iridology goes much further by suggesting that the state of a particular organ in the human body, and not only disease symptoms, can be determined by looking at a particular section of the iris. Iridology charts divide the iris into zones and link each zone with different organs of the body.
Many rigorous double-blind tests have found no significance to the claims of iridology, mainly because the fundamental premise of iridology contradicts the medical observation that the iris does not undergo any substantial change during a person’s life. Research has indicated that the iris of each person is unique and virtually unchangeable.
In 1979, three prominent iridologists failed a scientific test in which they examined photographs of the irises of 143 people. The practitioners typically identified sick people as healthy and vice versa, with much disagreement among the findings of these practitioners. In the late 1980s, five Dutch iridologists failed to distinguish between thirty-nine people with gallbladder disease and thirty-nine healthy persons. In 2005, a well-known iridologist examined the photographs of the irises of 110 people, 68 of whom had common forms of cancer. He correctly diagnosed only 3 of the 68 people. In still other controlled experiments, iridologists have performed statistically no better than chance in determining the health of a person by examination of the iris.
Many modern medical practitioners and facilities deny the ability of iridology to detect nonocular diseases within the body.
Safety Issues
Although iridology is safe, the misinterpretation of the condition of organs by a practitioner of iridology can unnecessarily frighten people, lead them to spend money seeking medical care for nonexistent problems or create a false sense of security that can defer or delay needed medical care if an actual health problem does exist. In the twenty-first century, there remained no proof of the efficacy of iridology, and individuals were cautioned against its use and encouraged to visit their eye doctor or other healthcare providers for medical treatment.
Bibliography
Barrett, Stephen, and William T. Jarvis, eds. The Health Robbers: A Close Look at Quackery in America. Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 1993.
Ernst, E. "Iridology: Not Useful and Potentially Harmful." Arch Ophthalmol, vol. 118, no. 1, 2000, pp. 120–121. JAMA Network, doi.org/10.1001/archopht.118.1.120. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Jensen, Bernard. The Science and Practice of Iridology. 2 vols. Winona Lake, Ind.: Whitman, 2005.
Lazarus, Russel. “What is Iridology?” Optometrists.org, 4 Oct. 2021, www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-eye-exams/eye-exams/what-is-iridology. Accessed 22 Sept. 2024.