iridology

Iridology is a complementary and alternative medicine technique that claims to provide information about a patient's systemic health by examining the iris of the eye. Proponents believe that the iris, with its intricate patterns and structures, contains a map of the body. Specific areas of the iris are thought to correspond to different organs and bodily functions.

Practitioners of iridology observe the iris using magnifiers and light. They look for various characteristics such as the color, texture, and markings of the iris. These observations are then interpreted according to iridology charts, which are diagrams showing the supposed connections between different parts of the iris and corresponding body parts. For example, a specific spot in the iris might be linked to the liver, while another area might be associated with the kidneys.

The core principle of iridology is that changes in the body's organs and functions will manifest as changes in the iris. These changes can include the appearance of spots, streaks, or color variations. Iridologists use these perceived changes to assess a person's health status, identify potential imbalances, and suggest natural remedies or lifestyle adjustments.

However, iridology is not recognized as a valid diagnostic method by mainstream medical science. Scientific studies have generally failed to find evidence supporting the claims made by iridology practitioners. The scientific and medical communities consider iridology to be a pseudoscience, as its principles are not supported by biological or anatomical evidence and its diagnostic claims have not been validated through rigorous scientific research.