Correlation Between Refractive Asymmetry and Eye Dominance According to the Sensory and Fixation Method.

PURPOSE: The eye dominance distribution in humans varies according to the assessment method. Although the correlation between refractive asymmetry and eye dominance has long been investigated, the results are inconsistent. Here, we analyzed the relationships between refractive asymmetry and eye dominance measured by fixation and sensory methods and assessed the concordance of the two methods.

METHODS

One hundred and twelve subjects were enrolled to evaluate their refractive asymmetry and eye dominance. Refractive error was determined through objective and subjective refraction. The assessment of fixation eye dominance was conducted using the hole-in-card method, while the binocular orientation combination task was used to assess sensory dominance. Subgroups of anisometropia and non-anisometropia patients were established to evaluate the influence of the magnitude of refractive asymmetry.

RESULTS

Among all subjects, the right eye exhibited greater fixation eye dominance than the left eye (p = 0.001), while sensory eye dominance was more even (p = 0.85). The concordance between these two methods was nonsignificant (p = 0.952). Only the spherical equivalent power difference in the non-anisometropia group was significant between the sensory dominant and nondominant eyes (p = 0.015). The right eye showed greater myopic spherical and spherical equivalent power (spherical power: p = 0.004, spherical equivalent power: p = 0.003). The absolute balance point was greater in individuals with anisometropia (p = 0.015). Moreover, a positive correlation was found between sensory eye imbalance and refractive asymmetry (r = 0.239, p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

We assessed the difference between two assessments of eye dominance and determined that the sensory eye imbalance was greater in individuals with anisometropia. Additionally, a larger absolute balance point value indicated a greater refractive asymmetry.