1
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-45736) of IRIDEX Corporation of our report dated
January 29, 2001 relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial
statement schedule, which appears in this Form 10-K.




/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


San Jose, California
March 30, 2001