EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-32161, No. 333-57573, No. 333-860191, No. 333-45736, No. 333-67480, No. 333-97541 and No. 333-10770) of IRIDEX Corporation of our report dated April 2, 2004 relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule, which appear in this Form 10-K. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP San Jose, California April 2, 2004