What Does Ocular Dominance Mean and Why Does It Matter?

You can have a dominant eye, just like your hands, and you may not even know it. This eye provides more data to your brain’s visual center and the information it gives is usually more accurate. In some cases, ocular dominance helps eye care providers determine the ideal treatment for a patient. 

Keep reading to find out what ocular dominance means and why it matters. 

What Is Ocular Dominance?

A person’s dominant eye often provides more information to the brain’s virtual information, such as the location of an object. According to research, eye dominance and handedness are connected but not directly related. While someone right-handed has a higher chance of becoming right-eye dominant, a right-handed individual can also be left-eye dominant. 

The three main types of eye dominance are motor, sighting, and sensory dominance. Motor dominance pertains to the eye that is more unlikely to lose fixation at the near point of convergence. Sighting dominance refers to the preference of an eye over the other when focusing on an object. Moreover, sensory dominance is when one eye has a stronger vision than the other. 

Why Does Ocular Dominance Matter?

Knowing your dominant eye is essential if you play sports, such as baseball, shooting, and golf. Photographers can also take better shots if they use their dominant eye. A shooter can hit targets more effectively through their dominant eye. Moreover, eye dominance helps an eye doctor make medical decisions when treating vision conditions, such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye). 

How Do You Know Which Eye Is Dominant?

To determine which is your dominant eye, you can try doing the targeting or point test. It involves focusing on a target and pointing at it with your index fingers to find out which your dominant eye is. Another method you can use is the hole-in-the-card test. In this test, you will need to use each eye to look at a distant target through a rectangular hard with a small hole in it. The eye that lets you see the target through the hole in the card is the dominant one. 

Keep in mind that regular optometrist visits can help you maintain good vision and eye health. At Vienna Eyecare Center, we are always here to assist with eye care needs. Call us at (703) 938-7633 or fill out our contact form to make an appointment. We serve patients in Fairfax, VA, and nearby communities.