Advancing Eye Dominance Testing: Comparing Traditional Methods with an In-HMD Approach for AR/VR Applications

Eye dominance, the subconscious preference for one eye, is an increasingly critical factor in optimizing user experiences in virtual and augmented reality (AR/VR) applications. However, traditional methods for determining eye dominance often produce inconsistent results, creating challenges for calibration and the development of reliable eye-dominance-based technologies. To address this, we investigated eye dominance by comparing three traditional tests with a novel in-HMD test, designed specifically for immersive AR/VR settings. Our findings revealed that while traditional methods often produced inconsistent results, the in-HMD test demonstrated greater alignment with established methods. Based on these results, we provide recommendations on testing eye dominance in future research to improve reliability. Furthermore, the in-HMD test demonstrates strong potential as a practical and valid alternative for AR/VR applications, offering a streamlined approach for calibration and advancing the development of eye-dominance-based technologies.