Learn How to Determine your Eye Dominance

When talking about eye dominance you will sometimes hear people refer to the master eye or the power eye. Either way, know that we are talking about the same thing. On this page we will demonstrate how to test yourself and determine what eye is your dominant eye.
There are two simple methods that I use to test an archer’s eye dominance:
1. Miles Test
2. Porta Test
With the Miles test note that there are two different ways you can evaluate your eyes. The results will be the same.
If there is any uncertainty about the results then do all of the self testing methods mentioned below.

Miles Test: Version A

1. Extend your arms out in front of you at eye level with your palms facing away.
2. Bring your hands together forming a small “V” shaped” hole or view window by overlapping your thumbs and fingers.
3. Select a small object at least 10 feet in front of you and look at it with both eyes through the hole in your hands.
4. While remaining focused on the object close one eye and take note of what happens then open the eye.
5. Now close the opposite eye and take note of what happens to the object.

It is likely that when you closed the non-dominant eye, the object remained stationary in the view window you created with your hands.

Miles Test: Version B

1. Extend your arms out in front of you at eye level with your palms facing away.
2. Bring your hands together forming a small “V” shaped” hole or view window by overlapping your thumbs and fingers.
3. Select a small object at least 10 feet in front of you and look at it with both eyes through the hole in your hands.
4. Now slowly draw your hands closer to you. When you have drawn your hands back to your face the view window will be placed over one eye or the other. This is your dominant eye.

The Porta Test for Eye Dominance

1. Extend your arm out in front of you.
2. With both eyes open raise your thumb or align your index finger on a distant object.
3. Close the left eye and observe the location of the object.
4. Now open the left eye and close the right eye and observe the location of the object.

It is likely that when you closed one eye or the other, the object disappeared or appeared to move to one side or the other. The eye that kept the object stationary is your dominant eye.

If you performed these simple tests and the objects did not appear to move when you closed one eye or the other then you are among the rare individuals who have central vision. If that is the case then you are likely to be a very effective archer regardless of which hand you shoot with.