Editing Iridology (section)

==Methods==
[[File:Iris.eye.225px.jpg|thumb|right|The [[iris (anatomy)|iris]] is the greenish-yellow area surrounding the transparent pupil (showing as black). The white outer area is the [[sclera]], the central transparent part of which is the [[cornea]].]]

Iridologists generally use equipment such as a flashlight and magnifying glass, cameras, or [[slit-lamp microscope]]s to examine a patient's irises for [[Biological tissue|tissue]] changes, as well as features such as specific pigment patterns and irregular [[stroma of iris|stroma]]l architecture. The markings and patterns are compared to an ''iris chart'' that correlates zones of the iris with parts of the body. Typical charts divide the iris into approximately 80–90 zones. For example, the zone corresponding to the kidney is in the lower part of the iris, just before 6 o'clock.  There are minor variations between charts' associations between body parts and areas of the iris.

According to iridologists, details in the iris reflect changes in the tissues of the corresponding body organs. One prominent practitioner, [[Bernard Jensen]], described it thus: "Nerve fibers in the iris respond to changes in body tissues by manifesting a reflex physiology that corresponds to specific tissue changes and locations."<ref name="Jensen">Jensen B; "''Iridology Simplified''". 2nd ed., Escondido 1980.{{page needed|date=November 2012}}</ref> This would mean that a bodily condition translates to a noticeable change in the appearance of the iris, but this has been disproven through many studies.<ref name="simona" /> (See section on Scientific research.) For example, ''acute inflammatory'', ''chronic inflammatory'' and ''catarrhal'' signs may indicate involvement, maintenance, or healing of corresponding distant tissues, respectively. Other features that iridologists look for are ''contraction rings'' and ''Klumpenzellen'', which may indicate various other health conditions, as interpreted in context.