Iridology is a type of study that takes into account the patterns, colors and structures of the iris. Practitioners match certain parts of the iris and match them to a specific chart that relates to parts of the human body. This type of study is not known for being very medical and therefore strays away from mainstream medical culture and is a type of alternative therapy. Iridology differs from other alternative methods since it is not a type of treatment, simply an analysis and is therefore used in conjunction with alternative treatments such as naturopathy.

Usually the charts are divided into 80-90 corresponding zones and relate to certain parts of the body. Physicians believe that changes in the iris are directly in relation to changes in human organs. The nerve fibers in the human iris change according to nerve fibers in the body. The study of iridology first came about in Hungary in the 19th century.

The principle aim of iridologists is to keep patients well and healthy. It is not to change, prevent, or cure any illnesses or diseases. This is why other alternative treatments are used. Iridologists are usually not qualified practitioners to do such therapy and are simply used for analysis.

The lack of success of this type of study has made critics believe that iridology is not beneficial in any way and is therefore not medically backed. No clinical data shows that changes in the iris are directly relational to human body parts, as no study has proven this. The iris is a part of the body that is developed before birth and stays the same from birth to death.

Iridology may not be the best solution for everyone and since the analysis is fairly vague, it may become dangerous, especially if a wrong diagnosis is made and patients become scared or anxious.

Scientific results have yielded mostly negative results from this kind of study and a lack of scientific proof to support this theory makes it an alternative study. Nevertheless, it is becoming more popular in the western world as we look towards alternative treatments more and more nowadays since we can be tired of traditional medical treatments.

Iridologists often cannot correctly diagnose problems effectively and argue against each other as to what the condition may be. It is this level in low standards that make this type of study somewhat obscure and not effective.