You probably have a dominant hand or foot. But do you know what your dominant eye is – and why it’s dominant?
Most people rely on one eye more than the other for their vision. This is a very normal trait you probably don’t notice. However, how you use your “stronger” eye may be a key part of how your vision functions.
Why is One Eye More Dominant?
As no two eyes function equally, your brain naturally favors what you see out of one eye over the other. This is thought to be due to nerve connections to the brain and how information from each eye is processed, but exact reasons are not completely understood.
Your dominant eye often takes the lead during alignment-based tasks like looking through a telescope or a camera viewfinder. You’re still able to see out of the other eye, of course, but your brain won’t focus as much energy on processing what that eye sees. It also doesn’t mean that one eye is necessarily “weaker” than the other – only your brain’s eye preference.
Right eye dominance is more common than left eye dominance, and for many people, eye dominance correlates with their hand preference. But cross dominance (where your dominant hand is on the opposite side of your dominant eye) does happen, as do rarer cases of no clear dominant eye.
Eye dominance can also shift throughout your life as your eyes change, especially if you’ve undergone vision surgeries such as cataract removal.
How Can I Find My Dominant Eye?
Think of the eye you use to focus on a target, such as looking through a microscope. Whichever eye you use is probably your dominant eye.
If you’re still unsure, try this simple test to find out:
- Hold your hands in front of you and create a small triangle between your thumbs and index fingers
- Center a distant object inside the triangle
- Without moving your hands, close one eye, then the other
The object will usually remain centered when your dominant eye is open. When you close that eye, the object may appear to shift outside the opening.
Can Eye Dominance Be a Problem?
Usually, there’s no need to correct eye dominance. This is a normal part of your vision, and likely won’t be something you notice changing from day to day.
However, if you suddenly begin relying more on one eye because the other seems blurry, uncomfortable or difficult to focus with, these may be signs of an underlying vision issue rather than a shift in eye dominance.
Any sudden or severe vision changes should be discussed with your eye doctor, and it is important to schedule comprehensive eye exams to ensure your overall vision stays healthy.
Working Together for Clear Vision
Although one eye may take the lead throughout your day, clear and comfortable vision still depends on the health of both eyes. Noticeable differences in vision between the eyes may be worth discussing with your eye doctor.
At Bauer & Clausen Optometry, we take a thoughtful, individualized approach to evaluating vision and eye health. Schedule your next eye exam by calling (406) 656-8886.
