The Dynamics of Eye Dominance and Its Implication for 3D Interaction

Prummer, Franziska and Gellersen, Hans (2026) The Dynamics of Eye Dominance and Its Implication for 3D Interaction. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

Eye dominance is a behavioral concept that describes the asymmetry between the eyes, in which one eye contributes more to visual input than the other. This difference between our eyes offers perceptual advantages and shapes how we interact with our surroundings. It is a long-standing concept in vision science and psychology, yet its role in human-computer interaction (HCI) remains underexplored for interaction and interface design. This thesis investigates the fundamental behavior of eye dominance and its potential applications in 3D interaction. It examines eye dominance through its theoretical grounding in fields such as vision science and psychology, its current treatment within HCI, its objective measurement, and discusses opportunities for effective application. A mixed-methods approach combining a systematic literature review with virtual reality (VR) user studies employing eye tracking explores both contextual factors that an HCI designer might exploit and individual characteristics to consider when leveraging eye dominance in HCI. The results demonstrate the dynamic and nuanced nature of eye dominance across tasks, with patterns unique to each individual. Specifically, eye dominance was influenced by both user-centric and context-specific factors, such as viewing angle, visual acuity, and the hand used for alignment. In addition, traditional testing methods yielded inconsistent results, highlighting limitations of established procedures. To reliably capture eye dominance patterns, we developed an in-HMD classification method and a machine-learning prediction model designed specifically for VR contexts. Based on these findings, practical guidelines for implementing eye dominance effectively are provided. This thesis positions eye dominance as both a research challenge and an opportunity for interaction design, and reflects how acknowledging this dynamic visual asymmetry can inform more effective and adaptive interfaces and interactions for 3D environments.