BOBE-2808 | ISSN-1297-9953 | IWUI-0014

Model for a Possible Non-Visual Function of the Iris, Lens, and Peripheral Retina

We cannot study a knowledgeable field, empirically as it is defined and limited as we choose it to

be, without an external warrant of its logical coherence. Beyond the fundamental limit of any
formalized approach, so aptly described by Kurt Goedel, almost any approach to understanding
will shape both our vision and the detail of its applied exercise. It happens that my view,
encompassing such delicate colored membranes as those present in our eyes, was first an
educated medical doctor's endeavor. It also happens that the beauty of these membranes was not
only in the beholder's eyes. So much truth was in our relationship that I also grew along such
contemplated gems. I practically developed myself to the point of reaching harmony, whereby
everything I cared to do was also touched by the idea of beauty - always being somewhere, in
fact always with me, all along the knowledgeable journey. So, not only I lost my sentiment of
loneliness, but an urge developed in my heart to describe that beauty which appeared to me in all
its second order displays. My only caveat henceforth was to proceed systematically. The articles
and books were all written as a consequence, practically almost as if by themselves. I am of
course aware of the hopeless relativity of my approach and of the odd choice of embarking upon
such a delicate enterprise. But living enough to see it through, I can only point to the peace of
mind it brought to me permanently, where it mattered most, inside the contemplation process.

Cover, cover legend, abstract and comments © 2004 Dan Waniek and the Iris-Ward.com.
Sub-image credits: the Iris-Ward.com

Dedicated to the memory of Paula Hüttler Waniek

Recommended USD Value (2004): $ 9.99

BOBE-2808 | ISSN-1297-9953 | IWUI-0014
© 1986-2005 Dan Waniek | All Rights Reserved

© www.iris-ward.com 0 words – Model – page 2 of 13

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 BOBE-2808 | ISSN-1297-9953 | IWUI-0014
Model for a Possible Non-Visual Function of the Iris, Lens, and Peripheral Retina

Model

for a
Possible
Non-visual
Function of the Iris,
Lens and Peripheral Retina

The Opus Princeps of Iris Studies

first published as

Waniek, D. A. (1987)
Medical Hypothesis 23 (1): 309-312.

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 BOBE-2808 | ISSN-1297-9953 | IWUI-0014
Model for a Possible Non-Visual Function of the Iris, Lens, and Peripheral Retina

Introduction

¶ 1 The obvious function of the iris is to provide an optical diaphragm for

the system that produces images on the central part of the retina.
Interestingly, the morphology of the iridial stroma and epithelia seem to
support more than the necessities of a highly aperture-adjustable
structure. Its crypts and chromatic accidents offer a variable and
complicated pattern of densities and transparencies that have stimulated
several studies, both scientific and empirical.

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Model for a Possible Non-Visual Function of the Iris, Lens, and Peripheral Retina

Hypotheses

¶ 2 We have hypothesized that the iris may be able to transmit light

through its stroma in spite of the irregularly dispersed, heavily absorptive
pigment. This transmitted light, without interfering with the centro-
retinal image because of total reflection on the anterior surface of the
lens is, however, significant, and acts as a coded non-visual stimulus for
the periphery of the retina.

¶ 3 The peripheral retina consists of a highly regular array of about seventy

protrusions of nervous tissue, the processi dentati, in the pars plana of
the ciliary body, collectively named the ora serrata.

¶ 4 This structure has not been understood so far in terms of vision :

campimetry fails to demonstrate correspondent protrusions in the
margins of the visual field even if there is positive histological evidence of
normal receptive retinal structure in the ora serrata, to account for visual
perception.

¶ 5 In this model the ora serrata is assumed to have a non-visual function.

A critical test of these hypotheses would be to determine whether electro-
retinography (ERG) can detect specific activity in the ora serrata when the
surface of the iris, and not the pupil is light-stimulated.

¶ 6 This study was undertaken because of controversy existing between the

conclusions of different approaches concerning the evaluation of
iridology, the controversial diagnostic method based on clinical and
empirical studies of the iridial morphology.

¶ 7 We report here a simple observation to support our functional model : a

spatial correspondence between

¶ 8 (a) the radial transparencies in iridial structure,

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 BOBE-2808 | ISSN-1297-9953 | IWUI-0014
Model for a Possible Non-Visual Function of the Iris, Lens, and Peripheral Retina

¶ 9 (b) the circular sectors in iridological charts,

¶ 10 (c) the inter-processural spaces (the ciliary valleys) and

¶ 11 (d) the processi dentati,

¶ 12 does indeed exist (Fig 1).

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 BOBE-2808 | ISSN-1297-9953 | IWUI-0014
Model for a Possible Non-Visual Function of the Iris, Lens, and Peripheral Retina

Figure 1 The peripheral alignment: The spatial correspondence between the radial (meridional)
structural elements of the iris, the lens and the peripheral retina, as they are viewed from the
interior of the eye (left) and in medio-sagittal section (right) is diagrammatically shown. There
are radial transparencies (1) and stromal crypts (2) in the stroma of the iris and these are in good
alignment with the ciliary valleys (the free space between two adjacent processi ciliares (3) in
pars plicata). This alignment is shown further in pars plana, where the dentate processi of the
retina (4) protrude along the symmetry axes provided by the striae (not shown). Light is
permitted to reach the processi dentati along this path, considering that total reflection takes
place on the anterior surface of the lens and its inter-strata. Only the inferior half of the lens is
figured in the left panel. The dots stress the repetitive functional unit described here.
© 1986-2005, Dr Dan Waniek, MD (Digimarc creator ID 10-727074) and the Iris-Ward.com, Inc.
Based on an illustration originally published by Churchill Livingstone, with permission.
All Rights Reserved.

¶ 13 The observation has been confirmed by recent photographs taken from

the interior of the eyeball:

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Model for a Possible Non-Visual Function of the Iris, Lens, and Peripheral Retina

Figure 2 High Resolution Intra-ocular photograph taken in vivo. Courtesy to Paris Match
© Lennart Nilssen, 1985, by kind permission.

¶ 14 This anatomical entity could be a functional unit for non-visual

processing of light information to provide for homeostatic messages to the
brain, not in the form of images, by physiological mechanisms that are
still to be discovered. The optic information is hypothetically coded by the
radial transparency pattern of the iris in terms of intensity, position and

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Model for a Possible Non-Visual Function of the Iris, Lens, and Peripheral Retina

specific local absorption of the transmitted light and is received by the

corresponding dentate process.

¶ 15 The meaning of such differential stimulation of the processi dentati,

according to an irido-morphologic code, could be to provide optical
information to the cortex with the purpose of producing specific signals of
homeostatic value to targets within the body.

¶ 16 Should this model be true, a coherent possibility for a new homeostatic

circle arises :

¶ 17 (a) A deficient structure within the body might induce changes in

iridial morphology or...
(a') deficiencies might be expressed in the morphogenesis of the iris of the
same phenotype.

¶ 18 (b) The iris codes the light signal and transmits it to the ora serrata;

¶ 19 (c) The ora serrata informs the cortex, acting like a peripheral sensitive
homunculus,

¶ 20 (c') possibly via the lateral geniculate body and the pulvinar of the
thalamus...

¶ 21 (c'') because of their strategic position in the diencephalon;

¶ 22 (d) The cortex produces homeostatic messages (nerve impulses or

chemical mediators)...
(d') to compensate for the deficiency...
(d'') possibly by converting normal into "exceptional" metabolic pathways.

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Model for a Possible Non-Visual Function of the Iris, Lens, and Peripheral Retina

Discussion

Why should evolution choose such a peculiar homeostatic mechanism ?

¶ 23 Nature develops specific structures to solve specific problems e. g.

different eye systems in fish, insects and mammals. The more diversified
these structures are, the more adaptive utilities arise for the same
structure.

¶ 24 A "trivial" example is the brain, originally limited to some relations

between the individual representative of a simple species and its habitat,
evolving then to support self-consciousness and creative behavior.

¶ 25 So, an already existing living structure may capture, by its intrinsic

possibilities, more external information and make it significant for a
higher and finer homeostatic mechanism. This is a kind of useful
redundancy that evolution provides for the species when they face
viability problems owing to environmental and their own increasing
complexity.

Perspective

¶ 26 If this explanation proves to be a good working hypothesis, much

support may be expected from clinical diagnosis and possibly interesting
new therapies could be developed.

¶ 27 We already have results that demonstrate a statistically significant

difference between the densitometric pattern of the iris photography
between heart disease patients and healthy controls. Screenings can be
performed in large populations if they prove to be of high predictive value.

¶ 28 Selective stimulation of zonal transparencies of the iris by an artificial

light source, coherent or not, can be a refined therapeutic means. A

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Model for a Possible Non-Visual Function of the Iris, Lens, and Peripheral Retina

simple device called the SectoStim™ is meant to direct the light stimulus
in a controlled manner. For a general discussion of the matter we refer to
an operationally defined "Functio Ocularis Systemica (FOS)"

Conclusion

¶ 29 The structure of the human eye and the eye of most Therials
("animal"-looking vertebrates) makes possible a new mechanism of higher
homeostatic significance, termed for convenience the Systemic Ocular
Function. This is based on the fact that a spatial correspondence exists
between the radial elements of the iris structure, the processi dentati
retinae and the ciliary valleys.


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Model for a Possible Non-Visual Function of the Iris, Lens, and Peripheral Retina

References

(references in bold red characters are those currently available only in Romanian as of 2004-03-18)

01. A. Simon, D. M. Worthen, and J. A. d Mitas, "An evaluation of iridology," JAMA 242, no. 13
(1979): 1385-9.

02. PL Williams, "The Iris," in Gray's Anatomy, ed. Longman (Philadelphia: R Warwick, PL Williams,
1973), pp. 1103 sq.

03. PD Trevor-Roper, "Iris Diagnosis," British Journal of Ophthalmology 46 (1962): 311-314.

04. ES Vel'khover, FN Romashov, and AN Alekseeva, "Iridographic Signs of the Purgative Effect of
the Unloading-diet Therapy," Zhournal Nevropatologh Psikhiatr 4 (1980): 548-551.

05. Mircea P Popescu, "Iridology, an Investigative Test in the Diagnosis of Some General Diseases,"
Rev Chir Oncol Radiol O R L Oftalmol Stomatol Ser Oftalmol 23, no. 3 (1979): 197-200.

06. Lennart Nilssen, "Eye Photographs in vivo," Paris Match, 1985, 71.

07. Dan Waniek, "Modificările irisului în bolile cardio-vasculare. Model experimental şi

primele dovezi ale existenţei unei funcţii oculare sistemice,
nevizuale''(Doctoral Dissertations, Institutul de Medicină şi Farmacie, 1984).

08. Mircea P Popescu and Dan Armand Waniek, "Computerizarea Iridologiei'' (paper
presented at the A Treia Conferinţă Naţională de Oftalmologie, Bucureşti,
România, Septembrie 1985), 158.

09. Mircea P Popescu and Dan Armand Waniek, "Improved irido-diagnostic method: possibilities of
computerized iridology," Rev Chir Oncol Radiol O R L Oftalmol Stomatol Ser Oftalmol 30, no.
1 (1986): 29-33.

10. Dan Waniek (1987). "Model for a Possible Non-visual Function of the Iris, Lens and Peripheral
Retina." Medical Hypothesis 23 (1): 309-312.


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Iridial Symbols

Colophon

The author kindly asks forgiveness for the redundant and tedious definitions, alas, made necessary by the current generalized level of ignorance and lack of
interest in intellectual pursuits. More or less becoming compulsory in the body social of the American Empire in the New American Century, such perpetrated
ignorance brings a technologically superior society back into the techno animistic darkness. This is not saeva necessitas, but a barbaric “choice”. Even within
that society (now actively exported, with mandatory “liberation”) “Edutainment” will never replace serious, careful, painfully acquired education which only
helps build characters. Therefore you are kindly invited to forget this “entertainment” moiety as a matter of cultural and even physical survival.

Index:

The only determinant in the description of persons is the main profession exerted (not the title and rarely that elusive “ fame ”) This policy combines the
advantages of brevity with the most practical hint in finding more Google detail. It is indeed there that most current “ search and research ” algorithms are
used at their best. Our allegations have been checked in at least two independent sources (wherever possible describing all views of the same issue.) The
current index :
- is semi-automatic;
- attempts to be all-inclusive and self-explanatory for abbreviations and definitions;
- stresses non-US English words in italics;
- uses bold characters for the etymologic lemmata
- lists persons either with their second (family) name only, or starts with their first (Christian) name first.

Version History:

1.1 - 1987-06-01 (First published);

2.1 - 2004-03-17 (Revised and Distilled).

second printing

17 Martie, Anul Domnului 2004,

Cuv. Alexie, omul lui Dumnezeu; Sf. Mucenic Marin



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