A Study to Correlate Ocular Dominance Vis-a-Vis Handedness and Footedness

Abstract

Background: Laterality refers to the relative difference in the structure and function of the two cerebral hemispheres. Handedness, footedness and ocular dominance individually and its various combinations have been used to determine the cerebral dominance. Since ocular dominance is presumed to be the most remotely related to the cerebral dominance, it has for long taken a back seat. The present study focuses on ocular dominance and its shift with changing handedness and footedness. Aim: To identify ocular dominance as a useful index of laterality either with handedness and footedness alone or in different combinations. Materials and Methods: A sample of 132 healthy young adults, all ranging between 18-25 years was selected from Department of Anatomy, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Haryana. Handedness was evaluated with the help of Raczkowski handedness questionnaire. Footedness was evaluated with the help of Waterloo footedness criteria. Ocular dominance was determined with the help of Miles test. Result: A generalized right ward trend was observed in all the three lateralities, consistent with popular observation. 83.3% were right handed, 77.3% were right footed and 69.7% were right eyed. There was a significant correlation between handedness and footedness (p value < 0.001). However, no significant relation was found between handedness and ocular dominance, and footedness and ocular dominance. Conclusion: There is a generalized right ward trend in ocular dominance with no specific shift in pattern with changing hand and foot.Female subjects showed a stronger inclination to left eyedness than males. Separate studies have shown higher incidence of psychosis in females and higher incidence of psychosis in Left ocular dominance. Hence further work needs to be done to find if there is some real association between left ocular dominance in females and psychotic disorders.