Iridology Is Nonsense

Stephen Barrett, M.D.

L'iridologia (a volte chiamata diagnosi dell'iride) si basa sulla bizzarra convinzione che ciascuna zona del corpo sia rappresentata da un'area corrispondente nell'iride dell'occhio (l'area colorata attorno alla pupilla). Secondo questo punto di vista, lo stato di salute e di malattia di una persona può essere diagnosticato dal colore, dalla consistenza e dalla posizione delle varie macchie di pigmento negli occhi. I professionisti dell'iridologia affermano di diagnosticare “squilibri” 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 “Nature has provided us with a miniature television screen showing the most remote portions of the body by way of nerve reflex responses.” 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 “tipi costituzionali” of iris color:

1. La Costituzione dagli occhi blu (“tipo linfatico”), di chi “tendenze intrinseche” includere: “Ria attività del sistema linfatico (irritazioni adenoide e tonsilla; linfonodi gonfi; Appendice irritata; Catarro con essudazioni; eczema; acne; flakey, pelle secca; fluff; asma; asma; tosse; tosse; bronchite; sinusite; diarrea; artrite; artrite; vaginale per occhio; sfruttamento; fluido; fluido; fluido; fluido; fluido; fluido; fluido; fluida; asma.”
2. IL “Costituzione dagli occhi marroni puri (“tipo ematogeno”), di chi “tendenze intrinseche” includere: “Anemia; mancanza di catalizzatori (ferro, oro, arsenico, rame, zinco, iodio); malattie del sangue (epatite, ittero); spasmi muscolari; artrite; malattia degenerativa cronica; Disturbi endocrini (tiroide, adrenale & pituitary); spleenic disturbances; poor lymphatic drainage; swollen glands; Hodgkin’s Disease; flatulance; constipation; colonic tumour; dyspepsia; digestive disorders with lowered enzymatic production; frequent intolerance to cows milk; ulcers; liver, gall-bladder & malfunzionamenti pancreatici; Diabete; disturbi circolatori; auto-intossicazione.”
3. La combinazione dei due “Tipo misto o biliare”), di chi “tendenze intrinseche” includere: “Flatulence; constipation; colitis; hypoglycaemia; Diabetes; blood diseases; gall-stones; liver, gall-bladder, bile duct & disturbi pancreatici; debolezza gastrointestinale con spasmo; Ematogeno & Punti di forza costituzionali linfatici & debolezza.” [1]

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]

Studi scientifici

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.

Nel 1980, un esperto iridologo australiano si sottopose a due test. Nella prima ha esaminato le fotografie di 15 pazienti che erano stati valutati dal punto di vista medico e presentavano un totale di 33 problemi di salute. L'iridologo non ha diagnosticato correttamente nessuno di questi problemi. In tre casi ha nominato una parte del corpo che aveva avuto problemi (ad esempio, ha detto “lesione nella zona della gola” per un paziente a cui erano state rimosse le tonsille durante l'infanzia), ma ha completamente trascurato le altre 30 aree problematiche e ha fatto 60 diagnosi errate. Nel secondo esperimento, quattro persone sono state fotografate agli occhi quando erano in buona salute e rifotografate quando hanno riferito di essere malate. L'iridologo ha fatto un gran numero di diagnosi (errate) dalle fotografie iniziali e non è stato in grado di identificare con precisione nessun organo che ha subito un cambiamento quando si è verificato il problema di salute. Gli è stato anche chiesto di confrontare le fotografie dell'iride di un altro individuo sano, scattate a soli due minuti di distanza. Ha fatto cinque diagnosi errate per la prima di queste e quattro diverse diagnosi errate per la seconda [4].

In the late 1980s, five leading Dutch iridologists failed a similar test in which they were shown stereo color slides of the right iris of 78 people, half of whom had gallbladder disease. None of the five could distinguish between the patients with gallbladder disease and the people who were healthy. Nor did they agree with each other about which was which [5]. These negative results, of course, are not surprising, because there is no known mechanism by which body organs can be represented or transmit their health status to specific locations in the iris.

Nel 1998, Eugene Emery, scrittore scientifico per il Giornale della Provvidenza, 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].

Disillusione

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:

Un collega più giovane, completamente attrezzato con le più moderne apparecchiature iridologiche specializzate, si è presentato e ha dichiarato che desiderava fornire letture iridologiche presso la mia clinica e allo stesso tempo monitorare il decorso dei miei pazienti per un periodo di sei mesi.

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].

The Bottom Line

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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