As Far as the Eyes Can See

You’ve heard the saying: The eyes provide a window to the soul. According to iridology—the study of the iris to detect disease or illness—the eyes may also provide a window to your health. Annie L. had her doubts, though, as she sat up straight in a hard-backed chair while Kathy Murphy, certified iridologist and owner of The Little Shop of Herbs in Rutland, Massachusetts, gently touched a small, lighted magnifying glass to the skin around her left eye. Murphy peered through the lens for approximately two minutes before consulting a color sketch. The drawing resembled a wheel with an eye at the hub and spokes labeled with organs and systems in the body. After repeating the process on the other eye, Murphy sat back and asked a series of questions related to family medical history. To Annie’s surprise, most of the questions hit squarely upon several personal health issues.

According to Ellen Tart-Jensen, PhD, DSc, president of the nonprofit International Iridology Practitioners Association (IIPA), the Chinese and Japanese have used iridology for thousands of years to detect disease in the body. She notes, too, that the tomb of Tutankhamen, which dates to 1400 BC, contained writings on iridology, and that Hippocrates looked in the eyes for clues to health in 460 BC.

Current-day iridology springs from Europe, where the practice has been popular since the 1800s. In the latter half of that century, Hungarian-born Ignatz von Peczely developed some of the earliest eye charts to describe health weaknesses and strengths and genetic tendencies based on iris analysis. Bernard Jensen, considered the father of iridology in the US according to Tart-Jensen, taught others the technique and eventually became known internationally.

Tart-Jensen says that during IIPA’s 25-year history, researchers have made valuable additions to existing iris charts. Today, color charts help iridologists distinguish better between, say, the digestive zone and respiratory systems. Also, some iridologists now take digital photos of the iris, which they can transmit in seconds to another iridologist, who might collaborate on an assessment. The newer, more nuanced charts can lead to greater insight into the connection between the eye and various body functions. A recent study in Iridology Review found that iridology holds promise in screening for stress tolerance and energy depletion in those going into aviation, aerospace, and the military.

Iridology can also predict much more. Just like fingerprints, no two irises are alike, and they maintain their unique characteristics for life. “Basically, it’s what you’re born with,” says Murphy. The iris reflects what’s going on in your body and provides clues about what might happen to you in the future. You can change your destiny, however. For example, if your eyes reveal a strong family history of heart disease, you could ward off a heart attack by eating heart-healthy foods. According to Murphy, though, you’ll still have “heart signs” in your iris. “The gist of iridology is to make you aware of your weaknesses and [help you] work with or on them,” she says. Tart-Jensen says that anyone interested in learning about their genetics, strengths, and general deficiencies and about preventative therapies could benefit from seeing an iridologist—and that includes parents who want to head off potential health problems for their children.

The eyes have it

Using a handheld magnifier or a digital camera, an iridologist looks at different features in the eye, including the shape and size of the pupil; density of the iris fibers; color, size and placement of the collarette (the ring around the iris); pigmentations; and the whites of the eyes.

“When iris fibers are tight and straight, that is best,” says Murphy. “This implies that strong resiliency that equals longevity and a strong constitution.” On the other hand, “loose, wiggly fibers indicate low resistance [to disease or illness],” she explains. “Rings in the iris show intensity.”

Eye color may predict your predisposition to certain health issues, such as depression or heart, kidney, or liver problems. In general, blue eyes indicate a tendency towards acidity, allergies, arthritic conditions, or skin disorders. Brown eyes typically point to a predisposition towards gastrointestinal disorders, glandular problems, or liver ailments. Biliary eyes (meaning those with a combination of shades of brown or blue) indicate a propensity toward digestive, liver, or gallbladder problems.

Each eye might look different as well¾and that too has meaning. If the iridologist detects a predisposition toward an illness in the right eye, the right side of the body is most susceptible to the condition.
Following the typical 45- to 60-minute examination, iridologists interpret their findings. For example, when Murphy assessed Annie, she noted a “break” in the collarette at approximately 11 o’clock, indicating an anomaly in the brain. Annie reported that she had been diagnosed several years before with a cyst near the hypothalamus that led to narcolepsy.

The iridologist then suggests several prevention and treatment options, based on his or her training. These could range from nutritional adjustments and vitamin supplements to massage therapy and acupuncture. Murphy recommended that Annie eliminate artificial stimulants, get more aerobic exercise, and practice meditation to address existing and potential health issues, such as depression, sacral-lumbar troubles, and coronary problems.

Looking forward

Dave Carpenter, ND, CAc, CCI, owner of Path-to-Health in Idaho Falls, Idaho, sees iridology as an assessment tool. “Iridology gives us information,” he says. “It doesn’t treat anything, though. The people who use iridology need a field of expertise to use the tool.” True practitioners incorporate other health systems, such as acupuncture, herbology, nutrition, massage, or other practices to arrive at treatment recommendations, according to Carpenter.

Anita “Trixie” Barnett, RN, ND, CCI of Birmingham, Alabama, uses iridology in conjunction with her knowledge of massage therapy and nutrition. A 22-year veteran of the nursing profession, she compares iridology to the palpation that a medical professional would use to assess health. “Iridology gives us a road map of a person’s genetic makeup, their predispositions. With this knowledge, we are able to give preventive care rather than treat after the fact,” says Barnett. “Iridologists don’t diagnose [conditions] and don’t prescribe [medications]. We educate, consult, and support.”

While this noninvasive modality poses no physical danger, it can be misused. “The biggest risk is how the iridologist interprets the information and communicates it to the patient,” says Carpenter. False positive or negative diagnoses, for example, could potentially harm patients, according to Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, co-author of The Desktop Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (publisher, yeartk).

The same could be said of any medical profession, however. “A good iridologist will tell you things you can do to improve your health and your odds of staying healthy,” says Carpenter. Certified iridologist Sankshat W. Flowers, MD, surmises that the more the practice becomes established, the more good practitioners will become available. “Medical practice doesn’t want to open up to alternative medical practices and therapies because they undermine the commercial medical establishment,” he says. “Surgical-pharmaceutical enterprise is holding back the wheels of progress.”

Although decades-old iridology-certification programs lacked validity, “now there are higher standards,” says Carpenter, and Tart-Jensen claims that accreditation standards through IIPA have established the benchmark for excellence and a cohesive program that reduces misinformation. To earn her certification, Murphy underwent an intensive four-week course sponsored and developed by IIPA that includes a three-part examination and case study. She also had to perform six eye examinations.

Carpenter says that “undercover programs” that involve a weekend course give the “biggest black eye for the profession.” Look for practitioners who have IIPA certification and appropriate licenses in a complementary modality, such as acupuncture, massage, or nutrition.

Massachusetts-based freelancer Phyllis Hanlon specializes in writing about health topics.