Can LASIK Change Eye Dominance?

Yes, LASIK can potentially alter eye dominance in rare cases, though this is not its primary purpose. 

Typically, LASIK is intended to correct vision by reshaping the cornea to improve refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.

Eye dominance, also known as ocular dominance, is unrelated to refractive errors and stems from the brain’s preference for visual input from one eye over the other. While LASIK may, in some cases, affect eye dominance due to changes in vision clarity, it predominantly focuses on improving vision quality rather than shifting dominance between eyes.

This blog will take a closer look at what eye dominance is, how LASIK works, and how the procedure might influence eye dominance.

Understanding Eye Dominance 

What Is Eye Dominance?

Eye dominance is the tendency to rely more on visual input from one eye. While both eyes work together to provide depth perception and a broader field of vision, the dominant eye plays a slightly greater role in processing visual information. This is similar to how most people have a dominant hand for writing or other fine motor tasks.

For example, if you’re aiming at a target, your dominant eye naturally leads to aligning the goal accurately. Eye dominance can be classified as absolute dominance, where one eye always dominates, or conditional dominance, where the leading eye changes depending on the task.

Factors Influencing Eye Dominance

Eye dominance is influenced by neurological and physiological factors. The brain processes input from both eyes in the visual cortex; however, it inherently prefers clearer or sharper input during specific activities.

For some people, poor vision in one eye might also result in functional dominance of the other. However, eye dominance remains primarily neurological rather than determined solely by issues such as visual acuity.

How to Determine Eye Dominance?

Testing for eye dominance is straightforward. A common method involves:

1. Forming a triangular opening with your hands by overlapping your thumbs and index fingers.
2. Focusing on a distant object through that opening with both eyes open.
3. Slowly bringing your hands closer to your face to see which eye remains aligned with the object. The eye aligned is your dominant eye.

Now that we’ve clarified eye dominance, how does LASIK play into this picture?

How LASIK Works?

The Basics of LASIK Surgery

LASIK, short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a well-known vision correction surgery that reshapes the cornea to improve eyesight. By doing so, the light entering the eye focuses directly on the retina, resulting in clearer vision.

The procedure involves these key steps:

1. A precise flap is meticulously created on the cornea using either a laser or a microkeratome.
2. The surgeon uses another laser to reshape the corneal tissue underneath the flap.
3. The flap is replaced, and the eye begins its healing process.

Commonly, LASIK corrects conditions like:

• Myopia (nearsightedness): Distant objects appear blurry.
• Hyperopia (farsightedness): Close objects appear blurry.
• Astigmatism: Uneven curvature of the cornea leads to distorted vision.

LASIK’s Goal

The primary goal of LASIK is to correct visual impairments to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. It does not intentionally affect neurological functions like eye dominance.

However, LASIK can indirectly influence eye dominance in certain cases due to its impact on vision clarity, as explored below.

Can LASIK Alter Eye Dominance?

LASIK and Improved Vision Clarity

One way LASIK might influence eye dominance is by improving the vision in a non-dominant eye. If the non-dominant eye had poorer visual acuity before LASIK and gains significantly better clarity after the procedure, the brain might begin to rely on it more often. This shift can sometimes create the perception of changed dominance, although it usually remains temporary.

For instance:

• Someone with absolute dominance in the right eye might notice their left eye performing better tasks requiring clarity, such as reading fine print, after LASIK.

However, in the majority of cases, the dominant eye remains dominant despite surgical correction.

Monovision LASIK

A specific scenario where LASIK can purposely influence eye dominance is monovision LASIK. This procedure is tailored for individuals with presbyopia (age-related difficulty focusing on close objects). 

Here’s how it works:

• The dominant eye is corrected for distance vision.
• The non-dominant eye is corrected for near vision.

By doing so, each eye is assigned a specialised function. While this may disrupt some elements of depth perception, the brain adapts to the change, offering a practical solution for individuals who wish to see clearly at varying distances without relying on bifocals or progressive lenses.

Neuroadaptation and Eye Dominance

If LASIK leads to a significant improvement in one eye’s visual acuity, the brain undergoes neuroadaptation, with neuroplasticity varying among individuals, allowing some to adapt faster by relying more on the improved eye over time. Although this may seem to affect eye dominance, it’s typically the result of functional preference rather than an inherent neurological shift.

Potential Drawbacks of Eye Dominance Changes After LASIK 

While changes to eye dominance after LASIK are uncommon and typically minimal, some individuals may experience:

• Temporary Visual Imbalance: If the surgery improves one eye significantly while the other remains relatively unchanged, the brain may take time to adapt, leading to mild disorientation.
• Depth Perception Issues: Slight shifts in dominance may momentarily affect depth perception in tasks that require binocular vision, like driving or sports.
• Sensory Recalibration: Users of monovision LASIK often undergo a longer period of sensory adjustment compared to those with standard LASIK correction.

All these effects are generally temporary, but patients can consult their eye care professional if any discomfort persists.

What to Discuss with Your Eye Surgeon?

If you’re concerned about how LASIK might affect your eye dominance, it’s important to communicate this during your consultation. Some helpful questions include:

• Will LASIK improve both eyes equally?
• Are my visual needs better suited for monovision LASIK?
• How will LASIK affect my depth perception or binocular vision?
• What steps should I take after LASIK to help adapt to any vision changes?

Clear communication can help ensure your LASIK procedure aligns with your expectations and lifestyle needs.

Key Takeaways for LASIK and Eye Dominance 

• LASIK’s primary role is to correct vision issues, not intentionally alter eye dominance.
• Changes in eye dominance are rare and usually temporary, occurring as part of the brain’s adjustment to clearer vision.
• Procedures like monovision LASIK can assign specialised roles to each eye, effectively influencing functional dominance.
• It is crucial to discuss your specific visual needs with your surgeon to ensure LASIK is the right choice for you.

Exploring LASIK Further

LASIK is a life-changing procedure for many, offering freedom from glasses and lenses while improving quality of life. While its impact on eye dominance is minimal, understanding this potential outcome is an important part of making an informed decision.

If you’re considering LASIK, take the time to consult with a qualified ophthalmologist who can provide guidance tailored to your unique needs and goals.