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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1



                                  June 22, 1998



IRIDEX Corporation
340 Pioneer Way
Mountain View, California 94041

        RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8


Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about June 22, 1998 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 250,000 shares of your Common
Stock reserved for issuance under the 1998 Stock Plan; 60,000 shares of your
Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 1995 Director Stock Option Plan;
and 75,000 shares of your Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 1995
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (collectively, the "Shares") (collectively, the
"Plans"). As legal counsel for IRIDEX Corporation, we have examined the
proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken by
you in connection with the sale and issuance of the Shares under the Plans.

        It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner referred to
in the Plans and pursuant to the respective agreement which accompanies each
grant under the Plans, the Shares will be legally and validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.

        We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever it appears in the
Registration Statement and any amendments to it.

 
                                     Very truly yours,


                                      /s/ WILSON, SONSINI, GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                          Professional Corporation