Is iridology an effective treatment?
Iridology was one of 17 therapies evaluated for which no clear evidence of effectiveness was found. A German study from 1957 which took more than 4,000 iris photographs of more than 1,000 people concluded that iridology was not useful as a diagnostic tool.
What is the history of iridology?
Iridology became better known in the United States in the 1950s, when Bernard Jensen, an American chiropractor, began giving classes in his own method. This is in direct relationship with P. Johannes Thiel, Eduard Lahn (who became an American under the name of Edward Lane) and J Haskell Kritzer.
How can I combine iridology and cortexology?
I guess I could combine iridology and cortexology by sticking a 9-volt battery to my tongue and having someone watch my eyes light up. I can almost guarantee it will stimulate-their-funny bone!
What does an iridologist look at when examining your eyes?
When examining a patient’s eyes, an iridologist will generally look at: With this information in hand, an iridologist will compare these findings against a chart indicating potential health concerns which have triggered changes in the iris.
How long does it take to study iridology?
1 to 2 yearsAverage Length of Study Basic iridology training may be completed through traditionally structured programs or via intensive workshops; usually these result in practitioner-level certification and take about 15 to 25 credit hours over the course of 1 to 2 years.
What happens in an iridology?
Iridology is the study of the patterns and colors on the iris of the eye to determine information about a patient's overall health. Iridologists use iris charts to make these observations, as the iris is divided into multiple zones, each of which represents a different aspect or organ of the human body.
What can iridology detect?
Iridologists generally utilize cameras, flashlights, and microscopes to examine the patient's iris in order to detect tissue change, stromal irregularities and pigment patterns.
Is it reasonable to believe in iridology?
“Iridology is not supported by any published studies and is considered pseudoscience to most medical practitioners.”
How do you take iridology pictures?
0:465:33How to Take A Photo of Your Eyes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you're gonna need a flashlight or a pen. Light i'm gonna show you my photos at the end of thisMoreAnd you're gonna need a flashlight or a pen. Light i'm gonna show you my photos at the end of this video and show you just exactly how close up and perfect these pictures can be for your iridology.
Can you see illness in the eyes?
That's because the eye is the only place in the body that provides an unobstructed view of blood vessels, nerves, and connecting tissue. As a result, eye examinations and tests can provide earlier diagnoses on diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions.
What's the healthiest eye color to have?
Healthy eyes have fairly bright whites, so when the whites of your eyes turn red, that's a red flag. "Red is a sign of dryness, infection, or allergies," says Dr....With that cautionary note, consider these factoids about eye color:Blue eyes. ... Gray, green, and blue eyes. ... Brown eyes.
What are the most rare eye colors?
Of those four, green is the rarest. It shows up in about 9% of Americans but only 2% of the world's population. Hazel/amber is the next rarest of these. Blue is the second most common and brown tops the list with 45% of the U.S. population and possibly almost 80% worldwide.
Does the iris heal?
One day after injury epithelial, endothelial, and stromal cells began to undergo cell division. During the next several months, the wound gradually healed as new cells and collagen fibrils filled the defect. This is the first demonstration that iris tissue has the potential to heal and scar formation does not occur.
Is iridology based on science?
As opposed to evidence-based medicine, iridology is not supported by quality research studies and is considered pseudoscience. The features of the iris are one of the most stable features on the human body throughout life.
What is a certified Iridologist?
Certified Iridologist (CI) To an Iridologist, specific areas of the irides correspond to specific organs, tissues and body areas; and colors and textures suggest biochemical changes. The topography of the iris as it relates to the rest of the body has been mapped by practitioners over the last 400 years.
How do you read an iridology chart?
0:594:23How to Read Health clues in your Eyes | Iridology Iris Chart - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAround and about that area we also have the eyes the ears the nose. And so forth. Now another reallyMoreAround and about that area we also have the eyes the ears the nose. And so forth. Now another really important area is the part in the middle of the iris.
Is iridology scientifically proven?
Main results: Four case control studies were found. The majority of these investigations suggests that iridology is not a valid diagnostic method. Conclusion: The validity of iridology as a diagnostic tool is not supported by scientific evaluations. Patients and therapists should be discouraged from using this method.
How do you read an eye iridology?
0:594:23How to Read Health clues in your Eyes | Iridology Iris Chart - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAround and about that area we also have the eyes the ears the nose. And so forth. Now another reallyMoreAround and about that area we also have the eyes the ears the nose. And so forth. Now another really important area is the part in the middle of the iris.
What does your eyes say about your health?
Eyes aren't just the window to your soul — they also offer a glimpse into your health. Changes in your eyes can signal vision problems, diabetes, stress, even retinal detachment. What's more, most of these you can actually see for yourself — assuming you know what to look for.
What is an iridology chart?
The Iridology/Irisdiagnosis chart displays two large irises with their sectors and corresponding areas of the body, as well as almost thirty smaller yet just as beautiful illustrations of common iris constitutional types.
How useful is iridology?
A 2005 study tested the usefulness of iridology in diagnosing common forms of cancer. An experienced iridology practitioner examined the eyes of 110 total subjects, of which 68 people had proven cancers of the breast, ovary, uterus, prostate, or colorectum, and 42 for whom there was no medical evidence of cancer. The practitioner, who was unaware of their gender or medical details, was asked to suggest a diagnosis for each person and his results were then compared with each subject's known medical diagnosis. The study conclusion was that "Iridology was of no value in diagnosing the cancers investigated in this study."
Why do iridologists use charts?
Iridologists claim they can use the charts to distinguish between healthy systems and organs in the body and those that are overactive, inflamed, or distressed. Iridologists claim this information demonstrates a patient's susceptibility towards certain illnesses, reflects past medical problems, or predicts later health problems.
How many iris photographs were taken in 1957?
A German study from 1957 which took more than 4,000 iris photographs of more than 1,000 people concluded that iridology was not useful as a diagnostic tool.
What is the name of the medical term for the pattern of the iris?
Iridology. Patterns, colors, and other characteristics of the iris hold information about a patient's systemic health. Irid ology (also known as iridodiagnosis or iridiagnosis) is an alternative medicine technique whose proponents claim that patterns, colors, and other characteristics of the iris can be examined to determine information about ...
Is iridology pseudoscience?
The majority of medical doctors reject all the claims of all branches of iridology and label them as pseudoscience or even quackery. Critics, including most practitioners of medicine, dismiss iridology given that published studies have indicated a lack of success for its claims.
Is iridology better than chance?
To date, clinical data does not support correlation between illness in the body and coinciding observable changes in the iris. In controlled experiments, practitioners of iridology have performed statistically no better than chance in determining the presence of a disease or condition solely through observation of the iris.
Is iridology regulated in Canada?
In Canada and the United States, iridology is not regulated or licensed by any governmental agency. Numerous organizations offer certification courses.
How can Iridology Help?
An Iridology assessment is an important first step in your natural health program. It reveals potential genetic predispositions to weakness in the organs and systems of the body. It gives new insight as to the stresses, toxicities, and potential imbalances that may have occurred in the past, occur in the present or may potentially occur in the future.
What is the science of iris?
Iridology is the science and practice of eye analysis revealing a person’s relative state of health. The study of the iris provides information on genetic predispositions, inflammation, toxicity and stresses, providing clues to potential health problems.
What is the iris pattern?
Iridologists examine the iris pattern, or structure as well as specific signs, color, and the overall composition which is a genetic blueprint much like that of a fingerpriint, giving information about the predispositions of one’s health.
When was iridology first used?
This divides the iris into zones that represent certain parts of the human body. Iridology was first popularized in 1881 by Dr. Ignatz Von Peczley in his book Discoveries in the Field of Natural Science and Medicine, where he published the first iridology chart.
What is Iridology?
Iridology is the practice of studying the iris of the eye – such as patterns and colors – to determine information about a patient’s health as a whole.
What is the iridologist's job?
Allergic sensitivity. Environmental and food allergies and sensitivities can often present themselves to the iridologist as blood vessels appearing in the whites of the eyes. By measuring this against other indicators in the iris, a trained iridologist can frequently determine the nature of the allergy or sensitivity and recommend remedial actions.
What is the iris broken down into?
Inflammation. As the iris is broken down into different sections corresponding to particular body zones, iridologists can identify certain indicators of inflammation in those specific areas. Inflammation can be a precursor to many serious disorders, so it’s important that they are identified early.
What does it mean when your iris is white?
Weakened immune system. When white markings are present in the iris, an iridologist may interpret this as a weakened immune system. Immune-boosting regimens can be recommended as a way of strengthening the system so that the patient is not susceptible to illness.
What is the brown spot on the iris?
Liver damage. A trained iridologist can identify liver damage from brown spots in the liver section of the iris. This can sometimes present symptomatically as emotional issues such as depression, and if caught at an early stage a treatment regimen can in many cases prevent progression and further damage to this vital organ.
What is the iris in medical terms?
Iridology is a method of uncovering potential health conditions by examining the coloured area of the eye, known as the iris. While it has been practiced in various forms for hundreds of years, modern iridology takes advantage of both digital imaging and manual techniques to help determine a patient’s overall health level.
How does iridology claim to work?
Iridologists feel they can use the iris to distinguish between healthy systems and organs in the body, and those that are overactive, inflamed, or distressed.
Who first described iridology?
The first descriptions of iridology principles are found in Chromatica Medica, published in 1665, reprinted in 1670 and 1691 by Philippus Meyeus.
Does research support Iridology?
Iridologists claim to be able to diagnose medical problems based on iris pigmentation abnormalities. This method is already widely used in many countries.
What is the iris?
Iridologists claim the patterns of the iris, the colored part of the eye, can demonstrate a person’s susceptibility towards some diseases, show past medical problems, or indicate many health problems.
Why do people do iridology?
Those who perform iridology try to analyze the many body systems to gain a better understanding of their patients’ past, present, and probable future health concerns, including the harmful accumulations in the body’s various systems.
Does iridology help with health problems?
While iridology is intriguing, there is no overwhelming scientific proof that it helps diagnose health problems. The only way to receive a definitive diagnosis and treatment is by visiting your local eye doctor.
Does Meyeus have iris issues?
Meyeus said he was able to pinpoint health issues on the iris as signs could be seen, even before physical symptoms appeared.
What is the study of the iris?
Iridology is the study of the iris, or coloured part of the eye. The iris reveals changing conditions of every part of the organ of the body.
Can iridology detect disease?
Iridology cannot detect a specific disease however it can tell an individual if they have over or under activity in specific areas of the body. Iridology is generally safe, non-invasive and painless. It is not a treatment therapy but rather a diagnostic tool used to detect underlying signs of developing disease.
What happens at the end of peripheral iridotomy surgery?
At the end of the laser peripheral iridotomy surgery, the contact lens is removed and the eye rinsed out. Another eye drop may then be given.
What is the purpose of iridotomy?
Iridotomy to Prevent Angle-Closure “Suspects”. Laser peripheral iridotomy is the same procedure used to preventively treat primary angle-closure suspects, or patients with narrow angles that are at risk for an angle-closure attack.
What are some alternatives to laser iris surgery?
Alternatives to Peripheral Iridotomy Surgery. Alternatives to laser iridotomy include a surgical iridectomy in which an incision is made in the eye to remove a portion of the iris. Surgical iridectomy has more significant risks than laser iridotomy and is rarely used anymore. The other alternative is to do nothing, ...
How to do LPI?
Here’s what you can expect from your LPI surgery: 1 First, the eye is anesthetized. This is done using the same types of eye drops used for measuring eye pressure. Some additional preparatory eye drops may also be used. 2 Next, the patient is set up in front of the laser, which looks like the typical examination microscope. 3 Then a contact lens is temporarily placed on the eye. 4 The laser beam is aimed and multiple laser “shots” are placed into the iris. (Laser surgery is not painful although the patient may feel a “pop” in the eye or an occasional pin-prick type sensation.) 5 At the end of the laser peripheral iridotomy surgery, the contact lens is removed and the eye rinsed out. Another eye drop may then be given. 6 Your eye pressure will be checked 30-60 minutes after the procedure is completed. 7 After your iridotomy, you may notice some blurry vision, mild discomfort, or a foreign body sensation in your eye. These symptoms are usually transient and are gone within a few hours to a few days. You may also be given some anti-inflammatory medication to use for a few days to a week to prevent any significant inflammation.
How to prevent angle closure glaucoma?
Preventing Angle-Closure Glaucoma with Iridotomy. Although not all patients with narrow angles go on to develop angle-closure glaucoma, laser iridotomy is often performed as a preventive measure because of its relatively low risk compared to potential serious consequences of angle-closure glaucoma. If an iridotomy is performed early enough in ...
What is the first treatment for glaucoma?
In some patients, laser trabeculoplasty may be the first mode of therapy if eye drops are not practical or likely to be used improperly. On the other hand, in angle-closure glaucoma or in patients at risk for this condition, another type of laser surgery (laser iridotomy) is the preferred method of treatment right from the beginning.
What type of laser is used for glaucoma?
There are different types of laser surgery depending on the type of glaucoma. For example, one type of laser surgery ( laser trabeculoplasty) is often used in open-angle glaucoma when medications are unlikely to work, do not work, or produce intolerable side effects. In some patients, laser trabeculoplasty may be the first mode ...
Criticism
Origin
- Iridology belongs to this latter category a system of diagnosis that was invented entirely by Ignatz Peczely, a Hungarian physician who first published his ideas in 1893. The story goes that Peczely as a boy found an owl with a broken leg. At the time he noticed a prominent black stripe in the iris of one eye of the owl. He nursed the bird back to health and then noticed that the black line was …
Diagnosis
- Peczelys idea was that the iris maps to the rest of the body in some way, and therefore the flecks of color in the iris reflect the state of health of the various body parts. This basic approach to diagnosis or treatment is called the homunculus approach the idea that one part of the body maps to the rest of the body, including the organ systems. Reflexology, auricular acupuncture, a…
Mechanism
- This is what might have happened next: After publishing his initial observations, Peczely set out to test his ideas with well-designed observations that were capable of proving his hypothesis wrong. He carefully built a body of descriptive, but well-established, facts about the relationship between the iris and health. Later, anatomists discovered the underlying mechanism of this connection a …
Analysis
- Of course, this is not what happened. Peczely did not do any serious scientific research. Rather, he simply invented a pseudoscience, by drawing maps of the iris that were as much a product of his imagination as observation, and were largely the result of confirmation bias. He did not perform blinded studies, or produce the kind of evidence that could separate a real phenomeno…
Society and culture
- Often the iris diagnosis (which can also be done by software analysis) leads to recommendations for supplementation, which are conveniently sold by the iridologist. Here is a description of how iridology is used by a proponent:
Quotes
- Iridology lacks any plausibility and its history is that of a pseudoscience, not a legitimate practice. But still we listen to the best scientific evidence in determining whether or not iridology is real. Perhaps Peczely got lucky and made a correct observation despite his lack of scientific confirmation. If iridologists could demonstrate that their readings provide real information, then …
Reviews
- In 2000 Edzard Ernst (not surprisingly) published a systematic review of iridology research. He concluded:
Introduction
- Iridology is an excellent example of pseudoscience in medicine, displaying many of the core features. It was invented by one individual based upon a single observation. It follows a pre-scientific notion of biology the homunculus model. It lacks any basis in anatomy, physiology, or any other basic science. Its practitioners are mostly alternative practitioners who use the techni…
Overview
Iridology (also known as iridodiagnosis or iridiagnosis ) is an alternative medicine technique whose proponents claim that patterns, colors, and other characteristics of the iris can be examined to determine information about a patient's systemic health. Practitioners match their observations to iris charts, which divide the iris into zones that correspond to specific parts of the human …
Methods
Iridologists generally use equipment such as a flashlight and magnifying glass, cameras or slit-lamp microscopes to examine a patient's irises for tissue changes, as well as features such as specific pigment patterns and irregular stromal architecture. The markings and patterns are compared to an iris chart that correlates zones of the iris with parts of the body. Typical charts divide the iris …
History
The first explicit description of iridological principles such as homolaterality (without using the word iridology) are found in Chiromatica Medica, a famous work published in 1665 and reprinted in 1670 and 1691 by Philippus Meyeus (Philip Meyen von Coburg).
The first use of the word Augendiagnostik ("eye diagnosis", loosely translated …
Criticism
The majority of medical doctors reject all the claims of all branches of iridology and label them as pseudoscience or even quackery.
Critics, including most practitioners of medicine, dismiss iridology given that published studies have indicated a lack of success for its claims. To date, clinical data does not support correlation between illness in the body and coinciding observable changes in the iris. In controlled experime…
Scientific research into iridology
Well-controlled scientific evaluation of iridology has shown entirely negative results, with all rigorous double blind tests failing to find any statistical significance to its claims.
In 2015 the Australian Government's Department of Health published the results of a review of alternative therapies that sought to determine if any were suitable for being covered by health insurance. Iridology was one of 17 therapies evaluated for which no clear evidence of effectiven…
Regulation, licensure, and certification
In Canada and the United States, iridology is not regulated or licensed by any governmental agency. Numerous organizations offer certification courses.
Possible harms
Medical errors—treatment for conditions diagnosed via this method which do not actually exist (false positive result) or a false sense of security when a serious condition is not diagnosed by this method (false negative result)—could lead to improper or delayed treatment and even loss of life.
See also
• Moleosophy
• Phrenology