Ocular Dominance: How To Tell Which Eye Is Dominant

If you’ve ever heard of the term “eye dominance” then it probably left you wondering which one of your eyes is the dominant one. Fortunately, you do not need an eye doctor to find out. In today’s blog post, your friends over at Alderwood Optical & Canyon Park Vision Clinic explains what ocular dominance is and shares an easy test you can try yourself to find out which one of your eyes is more dominant. 

What Is Ocular Dominance and Does It Really Matter?

Just like being leaning towards either your left hand or your right hand when we are first learning how to write, each of us has a dominant eye. 

An eye doctor will be quick to tell you that having a dominant eye is not always about one eye having better vision than the other. Rather, it is one eye providing a slightly greater degree of input to the visual part of your brain. Your dominant eye can relay information, such as the location of objects, slightly more accurately than the non-dominant eye. 

Dominant Eye Test

1. Extend your arms in front of you and create a triangular opening between your thumbs and forefingers at a 45-degree angle.

2. With both eyes open, center your triangle on a distant object such as a wall clock, doorknob or picture frame.

3. Close your right eye. If the object stays centered, then your left eye is the dominant eye. If the object you are focusing on is no longer in the triangle, then your right eye is the dominant one. 

If you are looking for a reliable eye doctor in the State of Washington, then look no further than you’ve definitely come to the right place. Please feel free to give Alderwood Optical & Canyon Park Vision Clinic a call at (425) 771-8472 or, alternatively, you can fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment online. We serve patients in and around Kirkland and Redmond, WA.