Do you know that you have a dominant eye? Probably not, but the truth is that one of your eyes works harder than the other. It is not easy to notice this unless you are using a telescope, microscope, or camera.
Anyway, let's get into how to find your dominant eye.
Dominant Eye Test
According to leading eye health informational platforms like
Maxi Opticals, the best way to find your dominant eye is by conducting an eye test. Here is how to do it.
Step 1
Spread your arms forward and make a triangular opening between your forefingers and thumbs by joining your hands at 45 degrees. Center the triangular opening on an object that is a bit far from you. Your eyes should be open while doing this.
Step 2
Next, you want to close your left eye and look at the object. Is it still centered? If it is, the open eye, which is your right one is your dominant eye. If the object is not framed by your hands, then the eye that is closed, which is your left one, is the dominant eye.
Test 2
There is another test you can use to determine your dominant eye. Let us look at it.
Step 1
Spread one of your arms out with its thumb in an upright position. You can use your index finger as well, instead of the thumb. With both of your eyes open, focus on a distant object and superimpose the raised finger on it.
Your finger will appear partially disappeared but don't worry about that because it is normal.
Step 2
After that, you want to alternately close your eyes. The eye that keeps your finger directly in front of the object when open is your dominant eye.
These two eye tests are classified as sighting tests seeing as they involve bring into line a visual target with a temporary sighting device.
Eye Dominance and Vision Correction
When it comes to vision correction, eye dominance plays a vital role. Why? Because it helps optometrists to make clinical decisions when treating particular eye issues such as crossed eyes, strabismus, and lazy eye.
It also comes into play when treating patients who need different kinds of correction in their eyes for instance contact lenses or glasses that correct near vision in one eye and distance vision in another.
Other than that, eye dominance plays a vital role in planning vision and cataract surgery. Case in point, the dominant eye is preferable when setting distance during a surgical procedure. In some instances following a surgery, eye dominance can change.
The Takeaway
As long as you are having problems with your eyesight, eye dominance does not have any medical importance but figuring out which of your eyes is dominant can be beneficial if you engage in certain sports, shooting, or photography.
Therefore, whether you are looking to enhance your performance, or you are just curious, you can use any of the tests we have covered to find which of your eyes is the dominant one.