What is Eye Dominance?

Much of our sense of depth and space in the world, called “stereopsis”, comes from the two slightly different perspectives that each of our eyes has on the world. Each eye sends its own unique view to the brain, which then combines these images to produce something greater than the sum of just the parts. This processing and the final image we perceive is often skewed toward the perspective of one eye versus the other, leading to eye dominance.

vision therapy

What causes eye dominance?

When we use one of our hands, the information goes from the opposite hemisphere of the brain and crosses the spinal cord, meaning our right hand operates mostly from input from the left side of the brain and spinal cord. Conversely, both the right and left eyes are similarly connected to each side of the brain, meaning eye dominance has a much different neurological basis than hand or foot dominance.

Can eye dominance be corrected?

Eye dominance is not an issue for the majority of the population. It is often not significant enough to notice day-to-day, and it might even shift throughout the day depending on where you are looking. Some high-level athletes might prefer one eye or the other to be dominant, but eye dominance can usually be switched with training, and without the negative consequences you can experience trying to force yourself to change hand dominance.

There are cases of extreme eye dominance resulting in amblyopia or strabismus, developmental conditions that often begin very early in life that can lead to an eye not seeing as well (amblyopia, or “lazy eye”), looking in a different direction than the dominant eye (strabismus, or “crossed eyes”), and in both cases, reduced depth perception.
Luckily, therapies can improve depth perception and visual function for these individuals. Developmental optometrists are particularly trained in non-surgical intervention of these conditions, or may work alongside a surgeon to help patients with extreme eye dominance achieve the best results.

Vision therapy supervised by a doctor of optometry

Is it amblyopia or strabismus?

When to Seek Evaluation

If a child is experiencing reading challenges, avoids near tasks, shows signs of poor coordination, or has difficulty tracking across a page, an imbalance in eye dominance may be a contributing factor. Adults may notice symptoms such as eye fatigue, double vision, or trouble with tasks requiring depth perception.

A comprehensive functional vision evaluation by a children’s eye specialist—beyond a standard vision screening—is the best way to assess eye dominance and overall binocular function. At Brighter Outlook Vision, we specialize in special eyes and can help lead you to the best outcome for you or your loved one.

If you suspect eye dominance may be affecting you or your child, consult a developmental or behavioral optometrist who specializes in binocular vision. Early detection and appropriate treatment can lead to significant improvements in visual function and quality of life.