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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

        We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated January 25, 2002, relating to the
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of IRIDEX
Corporation, which appears in IRIDEX Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 29, 2001.



PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

San Jose, California
August 1, 2002



