Iridology is a technique from complementary naturopathy that can be used to identify causes of complaints and other disturbances in the body. This can be accomplished by looking closely at the iris – the colored part of the eye for any abnormalities in pigmentation. Iridologists believe that a unique feature or pattern in the color of the iris can indicate that a disease or condition may be present. They then determine the type of ailment based on where the feature or abnormality is located on the iris. This is done using an iridology chart:
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Although less important, other parts of the eye: the pupil and white of the eye are also looked at. A magnifying glass and/or digital equipment is used to take a picture of the eye. The iridologist will then see if he/she can find any abnormalities in the structure of the iris. Deviations can be, for example, stripes, spots, dots or discolorations.
Is iridology legitimate?
While there are many people who practice iridology, it is not scientifically backed. In fact, some scientists and eye care professionals strongly discourage the methods behind iridology, because they can be potentially harmful to those with serious underlying conditions.There is no harm in having your eyes “read,” but health problems, both big and small, often require monitoring and treatment by a medical doctor. And an iridologist is not considered a medical doctor, despite even the most in-depth training they may receive to detect ailments based on the features of the eyes.