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                                                                    Exhibit 23.1




                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

           We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Independent Accountants" in the Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related
Prospectus of Ampersand Medical Corporation and Subsidiaries for the
registration of 4,000,000 shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated March 9, 2001, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of Ampersand Medical Corporation
and Subsidiaries included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 2000, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                               /s/   Ernst & Young LLP





Chicago, Illinois
May 22, 2001