Certified Iridologist Cheryl Lemoine-Kainer uses a computerized camera to take an image of the eyes of patient Susan Pederson, of The Woodlands. Photo by David HopperWhen The Woodlands resident Cheryl Lemoine-Kainer looks deep into your eyes, she's probably not noticing the beautiful color or unique shape.

She's looking for signs of illness.

Lemoine-Kainer is an iridologist, which is an alternative form of health science that analyzes the fibers that make up the colored portion of the eye, the iris.

"Iridology is kind of like looking at your DNA," Lemoine-Kainer said. "In the eye, you can see inherited conditions, things like heart disease, as well as changes that occur in your lifetime, like diabetes or thyroid changes. I see different things in different people."

Lemoine-Kainer uses a digital, medical camera made especially for iris analysis.

"It's never to scare people," she said. "It's about making you aware of what's going on on the inside, so you can take preventative steps on the outside."

Lemoine-Kainer said iridology has been around for hundreds of years, is main-stream in the Eastern world, and starting to gain momentum in the west.

It was a series of events that led Lemoine-Kainer to iridology.

A native Houstonian, Lemoine-Kainer earned a bachelor's of science degree in sociology from Texas A&M in 1977.

In 1982, she married Don Lemoine, an oil trader, and together they retired early, traveling everywhere, and having their daughter Lydia.

When the baby was 3-months-old, Don was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer.

He died a year and a half later, when he was 44.

Lemoine-Kainer was devastated.

Even though she was financially secure, Lemoine-Kainer grew depressed and wanted to do something, she just didn't know what.

"I started praying about it, God, what do you want me to do?" said Lemoine-Kainer, a member of The Woodlands United Methodist Church. "I never felt like I got my answer until I was shopping at a health food store and saw the word 'iridology.' I didn't know what it was or what it meant, but I knew that's what I was supposed to do."

Lemoine-Kainer ended up studying with Dr. Bernard Jensen, whom she said is the father of iridology in America. She became certified in 1996, after 100 classroom hours and a two-year internship.

Certified Iridologist Cheryl Lemoine-Kainer shows a the master chart of iridolgy and how she uses it. Iridology ia an alternative science that analyzes the iris of a patient's eyes to determine their health. Photo by David HopperLemoine-Kainer opened The Health Market on Sawdust in 1999, and went on to earn accreditation with the American Association of Nutritional Consultants in 2003, followed by a master's degree in holistic nutrition from Clayton College of Natural Health in 2006.

In 2005, Lemoine-Kainer married Danny Kainer, a Woodlands veterinarian.

Lemoine-Kainer's sister, Spring Branch resident and artist Candice Tangney, said she was thrilled Lemoine-Kainer found her way out of her funk.

"I'm a very holistic kind of person, so I thought it was great she was doing something non-invasive," Lemoine-Kainer said. "And now finally, after all these years, more people are turning to holistic medicine."

Case in point, Woodlands attorney Dan Hoffman, a self-admitted skeptic turned believer, who wrote a three-page letter explaining how iridology has helped him.

Hoffman first heard about Lemoine-Kainer six years ago, after his parents and sister had been to see her.

"At that time, iridology seemed one-step removed from voodoo, so I politely refused (to go)," Hoffman said.

He finally gave in and checked it out about five years ago.

Just by analyzing his eyes, Lemoine-Kainer could see Hoffman had a "flabby" colon, problems digesting meat, interrupted sleep at night, liver-enzyme issues and cholesterol problems.

Hoffman began taking the supplements and vitamins Lemoine-Kainer recommended, and hasn't stopped since.

"Treatment can consist of natural remedies," Hoffman said, "but can also consist of telling you to go see your doctor. I still see a doctor regularly and follow his advice, but alternative medicine has positively impacted my life."

That's the ultimate dream for Lemoine-Kainer - mutual respect between medical doctors and holistic practitioners.

"I think a lot of people get iridology confused with getting their fortune told," Lemoine-Kainer said. "They don't see the science behind it. I'm trying to get iridology respected."

Meet Cheryl Lemoine-Kainer
Community Connection: Grogan's Mill resident
Fast Fact: Lemoine-Kainer is a certified iridologist, an alternative health science that analyzes the iris of the eye
Quick Quote: "A lot of people get iridology confused with getting their fortune told. They don't see the science behind it."

For more information: http://woodlandshealthmarket.com or call 281-367-0002