Dominant eye has changed

[Joezam18]

I have been shooting for as long as I can remember. My older brother got a B.B. gun when I was probably 4, then we got a .22, then I got my pal and have built up a small collection. My dominant eye used to be my right eye. However, When I was about 14, I got into a rock fight with some neighbourhood kids (smart, I know) and got hit in the right eye. I needed surgery to re-attach my retina, and vision has been somewhat restored. Probably about 70% of what it used to be. On top of that, my brain has “swapped” dominant eyes from right to left.

I still shoot right handed, and use my right eye to aim, but my eye injury definately makes it harder as there are blind spots and the vision isn’t as good. It takes me quite a while to find and line up the bead when goose hunting, but I still do ok. Same with using a rifle. It just takes me longer to maneuver around my blind spots.

I’m just wondering if anyone out there has ever had to re-train themselves to shoot the opposite way for whatever reason, or have just had to really change or adjust the way they shoot. Maybe a hand injury, eye injury or something like that. I’m Hoping to hear from shooters who have had to adjust the way they hunt due to an injury.

[pgavey]

There is a guy on wild tv that shoots right handed but uses his left eye due to a earlier injury to his right eye. Sure doesn't effect his shooting.

[angery jonn]

I switched from left to right, didn't take very long. Now if I pick up a gun left handed it feels completely foreign.

[tikka250]

Your best bet would be trying to learn left handed shooting. We have taught a few cross dominant and center dominant shooters and for cross dominance it's usually best to give left handed a go. Go to a skeet or sporting clays range and give it a go. You would be surprised how well your brain can switch over to lefty.

[wildwoods]

I switched to lefty years ago when I first heard of dominant eye. It was an adjustment but it's become natural.

[DisplacedCaper]

Lost most sight in my right eye four years ago, went with some buddies for a guys weekend and picked up a daisy B.B. gun and tried shooting lefty. Took about 20 mins, maybe an hour lol. I can’t remember but I was picking off pop cans in a short amount of time. Tried rifle a little while after that with my 308, wasn’t as easy but was just about getting the hang of it when the sight came back after 3 months ish and I returned to using my right eye.
So in my experience it is doable to switch. With my condition it can come back and be permanent. But if it does I’m confident my shooting career isn’t over. Best of luck!


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