Association Between Ocular Dominance and Anisometropic Hyperopia

Abstract

Introduction and purpose: Anisometropia, a relative difference in the refractive state of the two eyes, is common in hyperopic patients. We investigated the association between ocular dominance (sighting dominance) and refractive asymmetry in patients with hyperopia.

Methods: This retrospective study included 223 hyperopic patients with a mean age of 10.1 ± 3.6 years (range 3 to 21 years). Refractive error was measured with cycloplegic refraction, and axial length was measured with IOLMaster^® (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). Ocular dominance was assessed with the hole-in-the-card test. The amount of hyperopic anisometropia was subdivided into four groups: less than 0.50 D, 0.50-0.99 D, 1.00-1.99 D, and 2.00 D or greater.

Results: Ocular dominance of the right and left eye was seen in 66% and 34% of the patients, respectively. The nondominant eye had higher hyperopia, astigmatism, and shorter axial length than the dominant eye (P < 0.001). In the group with spherical equivalent anisometropia of ≥0.50 D in particular, the nondominant eye was significantly more hyperopic and had shorter axial length than the dominant eye (both P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The current study revealed that the nondominant eye had a greater hyperopic refractive error and shorter axial length than the dominant eye, in patients who had a high degree of anisometropia in particular.

Keywords: anisometropia; hyperopia; ocular dominance.