The right eye is most commonly the dominant eye. This is based on the fact that 70% to 90% of people have the same dominant hand as eye, and 85% to 90% of the population are right-handed. However, eye dominance does not necessarily mean that eye has better vision. Dominance refers to which eye your brain prefers to use for tasks requiring precise aiming, like focusing on a single point.
Determining Your Dominant Eye
Several simple tests can help determine your dominant eye:
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The Hole Test: Extend your arm and make a small triangle or circle with your fingers. Focus on a distant object through the hole. Close one eye at a time. The eye that keeps the object centered is your dominant eye.
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The Pointing Test: Extend your arm and point at a distant object. Close one eye, then the other. The eye that remains accurately pointed at the object is your dominant eye.
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The Cover Test: Focus on a distant object. Have someone cover one eye at a time. The eye whose closure causes a noticeable shift in the object's position is the non-dominant eye.
These simple tests, as described in resources like All About Vision, Verywell Health, and Cleveland Clinic, accurately identify your dominant eye in most cases.
Eye Dominance vs. Visual Acuity
It is crucial to remember that eye dominance is different from visual acuity. A dominant eye isn't necessarily the one with better vision; it simply indicates the eye your brain favors for tasks requiring precise focus. Conditions like amblyopia ("lazy eye") can affect visual acuity independently of eye dominance. (National Eye Institute)
