# Iridology Source: https://spiritfold.com/Iridology Published by the Australian Spiritual Alliance on Spiritfold, licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. **Iridology** is the examination of the iris, the coloured part of the eye, in the belief that its patterns, colours and other features can reveal illness or disease elsewhere in the body. It is a method of assessment, not a treatment.[1] ## Description ### The iris as a map Iridology rests on the idea that every organ of the body corresponds to one or more places in the iris, and that the structure and colouring of those places can point to conditions or problems in the body. Practitioners examine the iris, often capturing images of it, and compare what they see with iris charts. These charts divide the iris into regions linked to particular organs or body parts, typically 80 to 90 areas, with minor differences between schools of thought.[1] Proponents believe that changes in the fine tissue structure of the iris can show present or future disease. Because the iris contains a great many nerve endings, blood vessels and other tissues, they consider that it reflects the body's inner workings.[1] ### Charts The most widely used chart is the Bernard Jensen chart or one of its variations, named after an iridologist who popularised the practice in the United States in the 20th century. It divides the iris into zones located by their clock position, each split into segments linked to an organ or body system, with symbols, colours and markings meant to show health conditions or imbalances. Other charts focus on psychological and emotional matters rather than body systems.[1] ### Examining the iris The iris may be looked at directly or photographed, using digital cameras, purpose-built iris cameras (iridoscopes), other lighting and recording methods, and image software. A practitioner trained in iridology then interprets the iris or the images.[1] ## Scope ### What it includes - Examining or photographing the iris and interpreting it with an iris chart[1] ### What it is not - Iridology is not a treatment. It is used as a way of assessing health, including by natural health practitioners to confirm their clinical observations.[1] - Research has not found it to be accurate. The Australian Government's 2015 review found no evidence that iridology was effective in diagnosing any condition. A 2024 systematic review for the government's Natural Therapies Review looked at five studies with 1,197 participants, covering kidney disease, colon cancer, gallbladder disease, several cancers and orthopaedic injury. Overall the studies suggested that iridology was not a reliable or accurate way to diagnose: it could not tell people with a disease from people without it better than chance. The review concluded, with low certainty, that iridology is not an effective diagnostic tool, consistent with the only other relevant systematic review it found. No studies examined the whole iris for signs of conditions throughout the body, as would happen in practice.[1][2] ## Traditions and lineage Examining the iris for clues to health goes back centuries, but modern iridology was popularised by Ignatz von Peczely, and the practice has existed since the 19th century.[1] In the 20th century Bernard Jensen popularised it in the United States, and his chart remains the most used.[1] ## Context ### Within Spiritualism Spiritfold has found no published source linking iridology with Spiritualism. ### In Australian Spiritualism Spiritfold has found no published source linking iridology with Spiritualism in Australia. ### A Spiritualist perspective Iridology raises a question every Spiritualist healer has to face: the matter of diagnosis. It is a way of looking for signs of illness, and that is exactly what a spiritual healer is asked never to do. A healer attunes to the spirit world and lets healing be given; they do not look for disease, name conditions or tell anyone what is wrong with them. The same care applies to mediums who receive impressions about health. The reason is simple: telling someone they may be ill can frighten them, and telling them they are well can falsely reassure them. Neither is our place. Iridology itself lies outside Spiritualism and has no link with it in the sources above. A Spiritualist may respect those who practise it as a separate path, while noting honestly what the research described above has found. Anyone worried about their health should take that concern to a doctor. ## Iridology in Australia In Australia, iridology is classed as a complementary medicine. Few, if any, practitioners specialise in it, but it may be used by a range of natural health practitioners. Certification is available, though it is not medical.[1] ### Private health insurance Since 1 April 2019, iridology has been one of 16 natural therapies that private health insurers can't cover.[3] The Natural Therapies Review 2024 looked again at the evidence for clinical effectiveness of these therapies, including evidence that had appeared since the previous review in 2015.[3] Its evidence evaluation of iridology was written so that consumers, health care providers and policy makers could make informed decisions, and so that the government could decide whether iridology should again be eligible for private health insurance rebates.[1] The review's Chair, Professor Michael Kidd, recommended that seven therapies become eligible again, but did not recommend iridology.[2] ## Safety and good practice ### Why accuracy matters The 2024 systematic review didn't assess safety.[1] It did find substantial risks of false positives and false negatives.[1] A false positive means a condition is reported that is not there; a false negative means a real condition is missed. In its background on kidney disease and on bone and joint injuries, the review noted that a delay in diagnosis can mean much worse outcomes, and for broken bones can mean the bone does not mend properly.[1] ## Related modalities - [Naturopathy](https://spiritfold.com/Naturopathy) - [Western herbal medicine](https://spiritfold.com/Western_herbal_medicine) - [Homeopathy](https://spiritfold.com/Homeopathy) - [Reflexology](https://spiritfold.com/Reflexology) ## References 1. Maujean, A., K. McFadden and M. Downes. *Evidence evaluation for the diagnostic accuracy of iridology: a systematic review*. Version 3.1. Centre for Applied Health Economics, Griffith University, for the National Health and Medical Research Council, 4 May 2023. Published by the Australian Government Department of Health as ["Natural Therapies Review 2024 – Iridology evidence evaluation"](https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-iridology-evidence-evaluation) (accessed 11 October 2026). 2. Kidd, Michael. Letter to the Minister for Health and Aged Care, 16 February 2025, with *Natural Therapies Review 2024 – Report and recommendations*. Australian Government Department of Health, [published 27 March 2025](https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-report-and-recommendations) (accessed 11 October 2026). 3. ["Natural Therapies Review 2024"](https://www.health.gov.au/topics/private-health-insurance/reforms/natural-therapies-review). Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Last updated 1 June 2026 (accessed 11 October 2026). ## Further reading - Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. ["Natural Therapies Review 2024"](https://www.health.gov.au/topics/private-health-insurance/reforms/natural-therapies-review). Australian Government. - Maujean, A., K. McFadden and M. Downes. [*Evidence evaluation for the diagnostic accuracy of iridology: a systematic review*](https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-iridology-evidence-evaluation). National Health and Medical Research Council, 2023.