L'iridologie (parfois appelée diagnostic de l'iris) repose sur la croyance bizarre selon laquelle chaque zone du corps est représentée par une zone correspondante dans l'iris de l'œil (la zone colorée autour de la pupille). Selon ce point de vue, l’état de santé et la maladie d’une personne peuvent être diagnostiqués à partir de la couleur, de la texture et de l’emplacement de diverses taches pigmentaires dans l’œil. Les praticiens de l'iridologie prétendent diagnostiquer “déséquilibres” that can be treated with vitamins, minerals, herbs, and similar products. Some also claim that the eye markings can reveal a complete history of past illnesses as well as previous treatment. One textbook, for example, states that a white triangle in the appropriate area indicates appendicitis, but a black speck indicates that the appendix had been removed by surgery. Iridology charts—dozens of which exist—vary somewhat in the location and interpretation of their iris signs. Some iridologists use a computer to help them analyze eye photographs and select the products they recommend. Sclerology is similar to iridology but interprets the shape and condition of blood vessels on the white portion (sclera) of the eyeball.
| This iridology chart was developed by a prominent naturopath more than 70 years ago. It relates various spots on the eye to about 50 parts of the body. The innermost blue circle in both eyes, for example, is said to reflect the health of the stomach. The topmost quadrants are said to represent the brain (cerebrum and cerebellum) and other parts of the head. |  |
Bernard Jensen, D.C. (1908-2001), the leading American iridologist, stated that “La nature nous a fourni un écran de télévision miniature montrant les parties les plus éloignées du corps par le biais de réponses réflexes nerveuses.” He also claimed that iridology analyses are more reliable and “offer much more information about the state of the body than do the examinations of Western medicine.”
A British iridology organization states that there are three main “types constitutionnels” of iris color:
Russell S. Worrall, O.D., an assistant clinical professor of optometry at the School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, has noted that many of the conditions detected by practitioners of iridology are “diseases” whose existence has been disputed or discredited by scientific investigation. Worrall also points out how spurious by iridologists can have serious consequences, as illustrated by the case of an accountant who consulted a chiropractor who practiced iridology:
During the course of treatment an iridology workup was recommended. The results indicated, among many other health problems, the presence of cancer. Overwhelmed, the patient spent the day in torment. Unable to consult his family physician . . . he finally sought my advice. After a lengthy discussion, I was able to allay his fears. . . . He wondered how an intelligent person such as himself could be caught up in such a deep emotional web over such a diagnosis. The story fortunately had a pleasant ending. However, the outcome could have been much more serious since the patient is also suffering from a heart condition, which was not noted on the iridology evaluation! [2]
In 1979 Bernard Jensen and two other proponents failed a scientific test in which they examined photographs of the eyes of 143 persons in an attempt to determine which ones had kidney impairments. (Forty-eight had been diagnosed with a standard kidney function test, and the rest had normal function.) The three iridologists showed no statistically significant ability to detect which patients had kidney disease and which did not. One iridologist, for example, decided that 88% of the normal patients had kidney disease, while another judged that 74% of patients sick enough to need artificial kidney treatment were normal [3]. Click here to see an example of Jensen’s iridology chart.
En 1980, un iridologue australien expérimenté a subi deux tests. Dans la première, il a examiné les photographies de 15 patients qui avaient été médicalement évalués et présentaient au total 33 problèmes de santé. L’iridologue n’a diagnostiqué correctement aucun de ces problèmes. Dans trois cas, il a nommé une partie du corps qui avait eu des problèmes (par exemple, il a dit “lésion dans la région de la gorge” pour un patient dont les amygdales avaient été enlevées pendant l'enfance), mais il a complètement manqué les 30 autres zones problématiques et a posé 60 diagnostics erronés. Dans le deuxième essai, quatre personnes ont eu les yeux photographiés lorsqu'elles étaient en bonne santé et rephotographiées lorsqu'elles ont déclaré être malades. L'iridologue a posé un grand nombre de diagnostics (incorrects) à partir des photographies initiales et n'a pas pu identifier avec précision aucun organe ayant subi une modification lorsque le problème de santé est survenu. On lui a également demandé de comparer des photographies d'iris d'un autre individu en bonne santé, prises à seulement deux minutes d'intervalle. Il a posé cinq diagnostics erronés pour le premier et quatre diagnostics incorrects différents pour le second [4].
À la fin des années 1980, cinq iridologues néerlandais de premier plan ont échoué à un test similaire au cours duquel on leur a montré des diapositives stéréo couleur de l'iris droit de 78 personnes, dont la moitié souffraient d'une maladie de la vésicule biliaire. Aucun des cinq ne pouvait faire la distinction entre les patients atteints d’une maladie de la vésicule biliaire et les personnes en bonne santé. Ils n’étaient pas non plus d’accord sur ce qui était lequel [5]. Ces résultats négatifs ne sont bien sûr pas surprenants, car il n’existe aucun mécanisme connu par lequel les organes du corps peuvent être représentés ou transmettre leur état de santé à des endroits spécifiques de l’iris.
En 1998, Eugene Emery, écrivain scientifique pour le Journal de la Providence, tested the ability of two iridologists to assess his health and to match slide he had prepared of the eyes of eight people who had been medically diagnosed. Both iridologists scored very poorly [6].
Herbalist Michael Tierra has described how became disillusioned with iridology. After making various observations, he stopped using it but still hoped that it would turn out to have some value. Then, however:
A younger colleague fully equipped with the most up-to-date specialized iridology equipment introduced himself and stated that he wanted to give iridology readings at my clinic and at the same time monitor the course of my patients over a period of six months.
Given the fact that for most of us as well my patients six months is quite a long period, there was ample opportunity for many of these to go through a variety of health-related changes. Some people became well and got sick again with either the same or perhaps a different set of symptoms, others suffered injuries or operations. They all had their irises repeatedly photographed and studied by my colleague and myself. Where was Peczely’s owl or the markings he claimed to observe in patients of the 19th century Hungarian hospital ward? Were were the fine white healing lines that were supposed to knit together the small dark lacunae corresponding to the healing of operations and injuries of different parts of the body?
Our conclusion after six months: my colleague, trying to hold on to the fast disappearing shred of belief in the validity of iridology sheepishly and somewhat guiltily sold his camera to another would-be iridology enthusiast. I buried my official iridology magnifying head band in a box in a dark, hopefully soon forgotten area of my office closet, where I must confess it still remains after over 15 years, unopened [7].
Another former iridologist, Joshua David Mather Sr., has written a detailed account of the origin and termination of his beliefs. He began studying iridology at age nine when his father became a practitioner. He abandoned it at age 25 after examining polaroid films of many patients and finding out that although their symptoms often improved, their eye markings never changed [8].
Iridology is not merely worthless. Incorrect diagnoses can unnecessarily frighten people, cause them to waste money seeking medical care for nonexistent conditions, or steer them away from necessary medical care when a real problem is overlooked.
Some multilevel distributors are using iridology as a basis for recommending dietary supplements and/or herbs. Anyone who does this and is not a licensed health professional would be guilty of practicing medicine without a license, which is a violation of state law.
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