Introduction to Iridology
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This is a question you will be asked frequently.
“Iridology is the science of bringing light into dark places.” — Bernard Jensen
Just like the satellite brings us information Jensen uses the analogy of bringing light into dark places because he sees the iris as a window. Through that window we can look and see what is happening inside the body.
Historical Aspects A Hungarian physician, Dr. Ignatz von Peczely (18221911), is often referred to as the father of Iridology. Review the story of Ignatz’s owl.
Historical Aspects When only a boy of 11 he made his first observation of the iris markings. While trying to free an owl trapped in his garden he accidentally broke its leg. He noticed a dark stripe in the lower part of the bird’s eye. The young von Peczely nursed the owl and the broken leg back to health and observed the beginnings of white zigzag lines in the area of the iris where the dark mark had been. During his thirties, he saved the life of his seriously ill mother using Homeopathic medicines. With this success, his reputation spread and people started seeking him out for medical advice.
Historical Aspects At this time, as the story goes, he recalled the incident with the owl's iris and began to observe the irises of his patients. As he observed the relationship between marks and colors in the iris and patients' illnesses he began to actually diagnose from the iris. The date given for the birth of Iridology is around this time: 1861. Von Peczely graduated from medical school in 1867 at the age of 41. During this time, he had many opportunities to view irises and continue his research
The Iris chart Iridologists use today is based on this early chart of Peczely's in which the right half of the body was found in the right iris and the left side of the body in the left iris as it is today.
Iris charts from around the world
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Historical Development of the Iridology Chart No one person is responsible for the development of the Iris chart or map. It is the accumulation of generations of Iridologists being refined and corrected over many years using clinical observation and research. It is interesting that despite the quite separate development of Iridology charts at least 85% of all charts essentially agree with one another. Similarities can be seen with Peczely's first chart and the American chart of Jensen's in use today. According to Peczely's first iridology chart of 1881 the right half of the body is seen in the right iris and the left side of the body in the left iris.
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“The head and the thorax are shown correspondingly in the upper half of the iris; the arms, abdominal organs and legs on the lower half of the iris, medially placed organs are localized in both irides. The heart is shown in the left iris at 3 o’clock (15 minutes). The whole area inside the iris wreath is correlated with the gastrointestinal tract, showing the ascending colon in the right iris, the transverse colon in the left irides, and the descending colon, (including sigmoid and ampula) in the left iris.� - Peczely
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Iridology is based on the theory that changes in health are seen as actual physical changes in the texture and color of the iris. It is important to understand that the basis of iridology is that marks and colors in the Iris can show various conditions in the body’s tissues and do not indicate abnormalities in the eye or iris itself, which is the separate specialization, ophthalmology.
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There is a connection between the iris and the nervous system
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How Does Iridology Work? Dr. Bill Caradonna, from the International Iridology Practitioners Association notes that iris tissue is vascularized connective tissue, not nerve endings. There are not nerve endings that go from the iris to each part of the body. He recounts in his video “Introduction to Iris Structure and Pigment Signs” how he is often asked, “How come the iris shows this information,” and he answers, “We don’t know yet; they will figure it out one day. Correlation over many years gives us information without having to create theory about why it works.”
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One explanation for the change in iris color and texture suggests that any inflammation or irritation of any part of the body is transmitted through afferent nerves to the autonomic brain centers, which send, in response to this stimulation, a rush of blood to the affected part through efferent nerves, causing swelling and congestion. This in turn is transmitted through reflex nerve stimulation to the corresponding area in the iris. This is said to cause ridges that run radially from the pupil to the outer edge of the iris. This raises the normal white fibers of the top layer of the iris making them quite visible to the naked eye. This explains why, in acute conditions that are characterized by inflammation and irritation, you see white in the iris.
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Anatomy of the Eye
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As someone approaches us, take the opportunity to focus on their iris.
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Prepare yourself to focus on the color and constitution
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Brown eyes can be more difficult than blue to read without equipment
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Begin by noticing color, texture, and the size of the pupil.
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Just like using a high powered telescope to view specific features on the moon, focus on specific signs, colors, and structures in the iris.
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As we note the color and texture, we can zoom in just like the high powered telescope, and focus on one or two specific areas.
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To really see the detail that is required you need specialized equipment.
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Dorene Petersen prefers an instrument that is designed to view stamps and is available from most optical instrument retailers or Stamp Supply stores. It is simply a torch with an attached 5-10x magnifying lens that can be placed directly over the eye. They are sold under the name of “Flash Light Magnifier� and generally retail for about $20-$25. To improve its use as an iridology torch, remove the metal backing and inner grid. This is easily done by removing two small screws on either side and the back and grid-like inner piece should slip out. If they are unavailable, a strong 10x magnifier and bright pen light torch are adequate. To use the Flash Magnifier, place it directly on the eye and look directly into the lens. Occasionally, it is necessary to move it around until it is focused. Your own eye needs to be right on the lens and the opposite side needs to be right on the client’s eye.
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It is only when you are really close with at least a 10X magnifier you can see the detail you need to really analyze the iris.
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Rules for Reading an Iris •Never shine the torch directly on the eye or leave the torch on the eye for longer than 10 seconds. •Avoid face-to-face approaches. This can be unnerving for people. Look at irises from the side and approach the person in a reassuring manner. •Avoid eating garlic or onions before you read an iris and always ensure your breath is fresh. •Place the glass over the eye from the side or shine the torch from the side of the eye. •Make sure your client is comfortable. They may need to rest their head against a wall.
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Rules For Reading an Iris (Cont’d) You will also need an iris chart. A standard iris chart is included in at the end of this lesson module. Begin to make yourself familiar with the Iris chart and in lesson module two, we will study it in more detail. Begin to view as many irises as you can, noting the basic underlying color. Once you have decided on the basic underlying color of the iris you are viewing, try to gauge people's types. Note also the pupil. Does it respond to the light being shone on it? Is it larger or smaller than usual?
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Enlarged Pupil The pupil will dilate in the following circumstances: •In the dark •Focusing the eye on distant objects •Loud noises in the ear •Later stages of chloroform, opium and quinine poisoning •The local application of atropine or belladonna
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Lymphatic Iris
The blue iris is known as a lymphatic iris constitution. The potential characteristics are: lymphatic & rheumatic issues, tubercular conditions, such as catarrhal problems, over acidity, tonsillitis, colds, allergies, and arthritis. It is said that blue eyed people tend to be better listeners, more patient and understanding. They do have a tendency towards sentimentality, however, and can get caught up in routine, moodiness and holding on to grudges. Remember these comments are only generalizations for both blue and brown eyes.
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Hematogenic Iris The brown iris is known as the hematogenic iris type usually has dark hair and dark skin. There is a tendency towards glandular and gastric-bilious disorders such as liver spleen and circulatory problems. Your lesson manual has a full description of the potential characteristics.
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Lymphatic Iris Constitution
Here we see tophi or flocculations the small dots on the outer edge.
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Biliary Iris Constitution
Liver, gallbladder and gastrointestinal disturbances are potential characteristics of the biliary iris. Check the section in your manual for full details.
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