How to Test Eye Dominance

You have a preferred eye from which the brain processes visual information, much like how you are right handed or left handed. This is not a conscious decision and most of the time you won't be aware of this choice in your daily life. However, an eye specialist will often check your eye dominance, also known as ocular dominance, before you undergo corrective eye surgery or are prescribed contact lenses. Knowing your eye dominance is also helpful in activities that require accurate aim and precision, such as in archery or pool. The Miles test is a simple way to determine which eye is dominant.

Instructions

• 1

  Extend both arms in front of you with palms facing outward and the tips of your thumbs pressed against each other.

• 2

  Touch your index fingers together while your thumbs are still together to form a teardrop-shaped hole with both hands.

• 3

  Move your hands toward each other with fingers overlapping until the hole is roughly two inches apart.

• 4

  Focus on any still object like a doorknob or a clock on the other side of the room. Keep both eyes open and your arms fully extended as bring your hands up to your line of vision. Center the object through the hole made by your hands.

• 5

  Close your right eye. If the object is still visible through the hole, then your left eye is dominant. If the object disappears when you close your left eye, then your right eye is dominant.