1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration
statement on Form S-8 of our report, dated January 26, 2000, 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 January 2, 2000.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
------------------------------

San Jose, California
September 13, 2000



                                      -8-