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Indications exist that forms of iridology have existed since ancient times. Stone slabs dating back to 1000BC first developed by the Chaldeans of Babylon, depict the relationship of the iris of the eye to other body parts (Newman, 2003). Early accounts of ‘eye diagnosis’ exist in Ancient Roman and Early Traditional Chinese Medical Texts, suggesting that the importance of ‘eye signs’ was known long ago.
However, the basis of modern iridology as it is practiced today is traditionally attributed to the work of a Hungarian Doctor, Ignaz von P’eczely (1822-1911) and his book, “Discovery in the field of Naturopathy; contribution to the study of diagnosis through the eye” first published in 1880. During his observations of nature and study of patients P’eczely, noted correspondences between specific disease states and organs, with changes and signs located within specific areas of the iris of the eye.
P’eczely, charted these correspondences over a period of years and developed a fundamental chart of iris signs and reflex zones. His work spread to Germany, Sweden and other parts of Europe where other eminent Health Professionals of the time contributed to, and expanded upon it. As a result several (very similar) iris charts developed and were in use for many years across Europe and later in America and Australia.
In the 1950’s an American Chiropractor, Dr. Bernard Jensen, extended the work of P’eczely, and developed a more precise and detailed chart relating body organs and glands to specific parts of the iris. The resulting map of the iris became an analytical tool to help determine the condition and function of the various body organs based on the interpretation of signs occurring within the iris. Jensen suggests that “Iridology, in its basic philosophy, stresses the treatment of the patient, not the disease” (Jensen, 2003). Little value is placed on labeling or ‘diagnosing’ the existence of a particular disease state, but rather understanding the state of the body tissues, as revealed by the irides, is the prime concern.
According to Dr. Bernard Jensen, the central hypotheses of Iridology are:
- That the iris reveals movement away from a state of health, through changes in its pigment, colour and structure.
- The anterior topography of the iris reflexly corresponds to the major tissue structures of the body, as depicted in Jensen’s iris charts
- That organs and tissues on the left side of the body are reflexly represented in the left iris and right in the right iris, while structures at the midline of the body or on both sides of the body will occur in both.
- That the anterior iris undergoes specific changes in correspondence to pathological changes in certain body organs, and therefore viewing these iris changes can be suggestive of such changes beginning in the body.
- Inherent strengths, weaknesses, and the degree of nervous system sensitivity of an individual can be interpreted from the iris fibre pattern, iris signs and iris structure of their eye.
Through the careful interpretation of iris signs, Iridology can identify a pre-disposition to pathology developing in the body. Therefore allowing for the identification of possible health problems before a specific disease state becomes clinically detectable. Iridology has great potential as a tool to monitor and prevent imbalances in the body.
Today the work of many of the founding iridology theorists has been synthesized into an integrated form, known as Integrated Iridology. However, many early writings on iridology, particularly those in German and Russian, have never been translated into English.
Eye colour is influenced by one’s genetic heritage, as is overall health constitution. The eye, and the coloured fibres that later become the iris, develops early in the foetus and form from the same initial cells as the brain stem. Therefore, the iris reflects all the potential genetic information of that individual. It is often said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Iridologists understand that the irises exist as a kind of map of the genetic inheritance and inner workings of the body.
Everybody possesses potential strengths and weaknesses, inherent talents and personality factors. Some of these are genetically inherited, while others develop over time, due to the influence of environment and lifestyle. The effects of both Nature and Nurture, influence health and wellbeing.
Through the careful interpretation of iris signs, Iridology can identify a pre-disposition to pathology developing in the body. Therefore allowing the identification of possible health problems before a specific disease state becomes clinically detectable. Iridology has great potential as a tool to monitor and prevent imbalances in the body, by analyzing reflex represented conditions in the iris and using that knowledge to promote the health and wellbeing of patients.
Naturopaths utilize iridology (and also sclerology – signs found in the sclera of the eye) to provide insight into the genetic pre-disposition, constitutional strength, and structure of the iris of the individual, as an indication of the genetic pre-disposition, level of resilience and areas of potential weaken in the individual health and/or psyche. An iris scope with light will be used to assist in clearly visualizing the iris topography, colour and signs. Digital photos of the iris may also be taken to assist in clearly locating iris signs and to provide a chronologic record of iris anomalies and changes.
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