1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated January 29, 2001, relating to the
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of IRIDEX
Corporation, which appears in IRIDEX Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 30, 2000.

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

San Jose, California
August 14, 2001