Iridology claims to detect probable health problems by analyzing the iris, the colored part of the eye.
Iridology is still controversial, as published research does not verify its claims to assist in the clinical care of patients. However some professionals feel that iridology can be a very useful tool to detect many health conditions.
What is 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.
Iridology is a non-invasive method of viewing the iris to determine where health issues may exist.
While iridology cannot diagnose diseases, some health practitioners say it helps them them determine which organs and systems in the body are under stress and at risk of developing specific conditions.
An iridologist will examine a patient’s eye and compare the findings to a chart identifying potential health conditions that have caused changes in the iris. They’ll also collect measurements over time to track changes that indicate if an illness is progressing or improving.
Conditions that iridology claims to detect
Hypertension
A ring around the iris may indicate increased blood pressure, as demonstrated by a slow metabolism.
If hypertension is not detected early, it can cause a range of problems, such as a stroke or heart attack.
Hyperthyroidism
Eyes that appear to bulge slightly can often indicate an overworked thyroid, which an iridologist can detect and compare to a chart to discover linked concerns.
Anxiety, fatigue, weight loss, rapid heartbeat and difficulty sleeping are all signs of this condition.
Liver damage
Brown spots found in the liver area of the iris can help a trained iridologist detect liver disease.
Liver problems can occasionally manifest as mental disorders like depression, and if discovered early enough, a treatment program can often stop the disease from progressing.
Gallbladder problems
A common symptom of gallbladder and bile duct abnormalities is a yellowing of the white of the eye.
Digestive problems
Discolorations around the pupil can indicate problems with the digestive system, specifically the stomach and intestines.
The iridologist may be able to discover that other seemingly unrelated health concerns have underlying digestive problems.
SEE RELATED: What is Iridology?
Contact an eye doctor near you to find out if your eyes can reveal any underlying health issues.
Allergic sensitivity
An iridologist uses the blood vessels in the whites of the eyes as a way to discover environmental and food allergies and sensitivities.
Iridologists try to determine the nature of the allergy or sensitivity by comparing various markers in the iris and then can recommend treatment.
Inflammation
Iridologists can discover some markers of inflammation in certain specific areas since the iris is divided into several portions that correspond to different body zones.
Inflammation can be a prelude to a variety of serious health conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, so it’s critical to catch it early.
Lymphatic health
Depending on how the lymph system interacts with the lungs and heart, problems in the lymph system can usually be diagnosed at certain points.
Since the lymphatic system relies on lung function to remove pollutants, this can have an impact on the respiratory system.
High cholesterol
A white ring around the iris can indicate excessive cholesterol or arteriosclerosis.
Weakened immune system
White marks in the iris may indicate a compromised immune system, according to an iridologist.
Immune-boosting regimens can be recommended as a way to strengthen the patient’s immunity and make them less susceptible to illness.
LEARN MORE: Guide to Eye Exams
Contact an eye doctor near you to see if they provide iridology.
Even though iridology is still controversial, some professionals feel this can be a very useful tool to detect many health conditions.
