The short answer is ‘no’. The longer answer is ‘Not ever’.

An even longer answer exposes Iridology as ‘a pseudoscience of no clinical value’ at best. A more damning expression would expose it as a mystical fad the proponents of which, since the theory was first posited by Philippi Meyers in 1670, “have failed to publish even one well-documented study to support the validity of any of the information presented on their iris charts.”[1]

Before we focus on the Iris it’s worth noting that many conditions of the eye can reflect a deeper malaise. Bile issues relating to gallbladder function can leave the white of the eye (sclera) with a yellow tint.  A white, blue or grey crescent shape made of fatty deposits that curves around the outer edges of the cornea of the eye, and even form a ring is known as  Arcus Senilus. It usually indicates excessive cholesterol. Masses of pigment can accumulate on top of the Iris as ‘freckles’ and that is just what they are – freckles. Because they are associated with UV exposure an ophthalmologist might want to check they are not a precursor to melanoma. But the existence of freckles is not in indication that a patient is melanoma inclined.

Perhaps the closest we might come to determining a condition if it is first discerned in the Iris comes from Iris nodules known as Lisch nodules. These nodules, variously clear, yellow or brown, are known as markers for neurofibromatosis(NF1), an inherited disorder that can cause the growth of tumors on nerve tissue.

Otherwise, it is worth noting that these are primarily conditions of the eye, not the Iris and are indicative of conditions which a doctor or ophthalmologist might identify.

Iridology is the practise (not science) of attempting to discern conditions in the body simply by having a close look at the Iris (or an image of the Iris) and referencing a map to determine any ailments. Iridology is based on the notion that the Iris is directly linked to organs and systems via intricate neural pathways (for which there is no evidence) such that any malaise in those is reflected in the topography of the Iris. Some Iridologists go so far as to say that those connections mean that any impact on or condition of the Iris can in turn influence organs and systems. Organs in the right half of the body are represented in the right Iris and the organs on the left side of the body are reflected in the left Iris. Each Iris is mapped into as many as 60 sectors. Heart diseases are shown on the left Iris map somewhere between the 2 and 3 o’clock positions for example.

Numerous studies (some cited below) demonstrate the absence of any scientific basis of Iridology. The studies consistently conclude that the ability of Iridology to detect a condition is  statistically no better than chance. There is no physiological link between the Iris and the health condition of the owner of the Iris. It goes without saying then that no image of the Iris, whether captured by an Iris recognition camera, or by your phone, will reveal any health condition. Further, it is worth noting that Iris recognition cameras do not examine and compare Iris images but compare the IrisCodes created from those images. IrisCodes do not contain anything other than the Iris pattern data they are designed to capture.

Bartholomew, R.E. and Likely, M. (1998), Subsidising Australian pseudo-science: is iridology complementary medicine or witch doctoring?. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 22: 163-164

Ernst E. Iridology: Not Useful and Potentially Harmful. Arch Ophthalmol. 2000;118(1):120–121.

Greasley P. Is Evaluating Complementary and Alternative Medicine Equivalent to Evaluating the Absurd? Evaluation & the Health Professions. 2010;33(2):127-139

L. Frank, J.T. Ferreira, J. Pellow  The validity and reliability of iridology in the diagnosis of previous acute appendicitis as evidenced by appendectomy.  African Vision and Eye Health | South African Optometrist: Vol 72, No 3

Simon A, Worthen DM, Mitas JA. An Evaluation of Iridology. JAMA. 1979;242(13):1385–1389.

[1]  Worrall, Russell S. “Iridology: Diagnosis or delusion.” The Skeptical Inquirer (1983): 23-35.

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