What Is Eye Dominance in Shooting?

• One of a person’s eyes tends to process visual information more accurately than the other. This is referred to as eye dominance.

• Gun owners can become better shooters by understanding the connection between eye dominance and shooting accuracy.

• Different options exist for those who want to learn how to determine eye dominance for shooting.

Regardless of whether you just bought your first gun or have been a gun owner for decades, improving your accuracy when you have a firearm in your hands should always be a top priority. You should never stop chasing perfection in the accuracy department. One of the most effective ways to do it is by learning about the connection between eye dominance and shooting accuracy.

So, what is eye dominance, why is it important to understand it, and what are the keys to figuring out how to determine eye dominance for shooting? Find the answers below.

Eye Dominance and Shooting: Defining What It Is

Just like most people are right- or left-handed, the majority have one eye that is more dominant than the other. While both eyes process visual information, people’s brains naturally prefer collecting visual input from one of their eyes.

This can affect a person in many areas of life, with eye dominance and shooting accuracy being one of them. It will come into play each time they pick up a gun, aim, and fire it, impacting their ability to hit targets precisely and improving their safety and overall performance.

The Importance of Understanding Eye Dominance in Shooting

As a gun owner prepares to take aim with a firearm and shoot it, they must use one eye to focus on their target to ensure accuracy. If they don’t understand eye dominance and shooting accuracy, they might rely on the wrong eye to lead the way and miss the mark when they pull the trigger. They can avoid this by determining which eye is their dominant one.

Many people's dominant eye is on the same side as their dominant hand. However, some people are “cross-dominant” and have dominant eyes and hands that aren’t on the same side, which can create complications when they’re trying to fire guns accurately. Either way, gun owners must know which eye is their dominant one when working on improving their accuracy.

How to Determine Eye Dominance for Shooting

Gun owners must strive to learn how to determine eye dominance for shooting. Thankfully, a couple of surefire tests can help them get to the bottom of it.

The first is known as the “finger test.” Here is how you can perform it:

1. Focus on a target in the distance while extending each of your arms in front of you.
2. Move your hands closer to your face and use your index fingers and thumbs to create a circle.
3. Stare at the target through this circle and close one of your eyes.
4. See which eye keeps the target in the middle of the circle, and remember that this is your dominant eye.

The second option is called the “target test.” This is how it works:

1. Focus on a target and aim at it with your firearm while keeping both eyes open.
2. Close each eye, one at a time.
3. Pay attention to which eye makes the target disappear from view when it’s closed, and remember that this is your dominant eye.

Use What You Know About Eye Dominance to Improve Your Shot

Now that you know the relationship between eye dominance and shooting accuracy, use this knowledge to take your precision to the next level. Identify your dominant eye and use it to focus on targets from now on. Consider investing in firearm accessories that can improve your accuracy, too.

Wing Tactical sells various accessories to help you make the most of almost any firearm. Shop for high-quality products on our website.