Iridology is the study and interpretation of patterns in the human iris as indicator of individual characteristics. Conventional Iridology seeks to identify both specific and general conditions of various organ systems in the body. A related field of inquiry, which studies the behavioral and personality interpretation from the iris is Rayid, a system of analysis whose methodology is distinct and separate from conventional Iridology.

The limitations exist primarily in the incomplete understanding and lack of rigorous scientific protocol among those who practice and study the topic. The limitations are not specific to any geographic or political boundaries. In the practical sense, the use of diagnostic information from the iris is limited in the specificity of its response to ongoing physiological processes. See similar questions...

The use of iris interpretation has great clinical benefit. A close look at the iris reveals a detailed illustration of ones intrinsic qualities as well as records of specific responses in the past. More advanced methods enable the interpretation of ancestral genetic factors leading to the current individual status. See similar questions...

Reflexology is an alternative therapy based on massage of the feet. The idea is that parts of the body can be mapped onto areas of the feet. There is no known mechanism by which massaging the feet can affect other parts of the body (other than the simple soothing and relaxing effect that any massage gives) and no evidence that it actually works. Iridology is a remarkably similar notion. Diseases are detected and diagnosed by examining the iris of the eye. A good critique of iridology: Russell S. See similar questions...

According to literature records, Iridology has been studied for at least 300 years, but was not structured in a systematic and detailed way until about 150 years ago. During the past century, the methodology has been used primarily by chiropractors, nutritionists, and herbalists. There are an estimated 10,000 practitioners of Iridology in the U.S. See similar questions...

The correlation between amount of iris pigmentation and age, as shown by Velchover, et al., is a good example of a well-designed epidemiological study. The AMA-published study 'Looking for gallstones in the iris' is a good example of poorly executed research carried out to support preconceived beliefs and biased agenda. See similar questions...

Iris analysis will eventually become an accepted and respected field of inquiry and will also see widespread clinical application in mainstream health care. This will be accelerated by the use of the iris for identification purposes. Baseline studies of individual differences in iris color (population variations) and longitudinal studies of color change, however are a prerequisite to the testing and validation of the diagnostic model. See similar questions...

The practitioner who uses Iris Analysis will normally examine the iris by direct view with an illuminated magnifier, or acquire a photographic image of the iris on the client's initial visit. The iris is inspected for textural and chromatic features, which are noted along with global properties. From both specific features and combinations of features, an interpretive model is applied to derive an evaluation of the client's physical and psychological disposition. See similar questions...

To advance the state of the art, a baseline study of iris color and texture is needed, then a study of correlations between iris structure and health predispositions. See similar questions...

The rigorous application of scientific and objective methodology to the theoretical beliefs and more professional standards of practice are necessary to elevate the status of iris analysis techniques to a modern position. Iridology is benefiting from the development of technology. See similar questions...

The same type of qualities that you would seek in any health-care professional. See similar questions...

Iridology has been used in a mostly non-technical way, and often by amateurs or those without rigorous training in health-care. As a result, orthodox medicine has not seen the redeeming value in a field cluttered with erroneous and oversimplified belief. Lack of scientific and professional conduct among some iridologists has contributed to the perception of Iridology as little more than fortune-telling. See similar questions...

I am a Homeopath, not an M.D. A Homeopath is trained to observe the totality of the patient's symptoms and arrive at a prescription from nature to readjust the present imbalance; not to diagnose and label diseases; if you want a label then your own G.P. is the man (or woman) for that job. See similar questions...