What does it mean for one eye to be dominant and how does it contribute to our vision?

Question

I’m curious about what exactly a dominant eye means, and what effect it has on how humans see the world

In: 4

Answer 1

It means our brain doesn’t focus on both optical signals equally, one is the primary input. Your perception is aligned on one eye only.

Try this: look at an object on a wall (a light switch or clock, something relatively small, not a large window) and point at it. Extend your arm out straight in front of you, with your finger pointing at the object. Now close one eye, then open it again and close the other.

If you’ve done it right, you’ll see that the finger lines up with the object in one eye, but not in the other. This is a result of how your brain uses the information, nothing more.

It’s not important for most things, but does come into play when aiming things (like firearms).