The scientific article “Assessing ocular dominance: rethinking the current paradigm”, in which the SimVis Gekko simulator plays a central role, is the recipient of the 2025 Obstbaum Award for Best Original Research Article published in The Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery in 2025.
Key findings
This study evaluated ocular dominance using a novel sensory test, Eye Dominance Strength, performed with a head-mounted, binocular visual simulator (SimVis Gekko), and compared it with the hole-in-the-card sighting test. The two methods did not match in 41% of cases.
The article suggests that conventional sighting dominance may not reflect the eye preference that matters when planning monovision. The sensory method was used in a prospective multicenter study of 326 participants across five U.S. private practices.
The technology is based on monovision preference and provides, for the first time, the strength of dominance, not only its laterality.
Clinical relevance
For surgeons and clinicians exploring monovision strategies in refractive and cataract workflows, this work supports a more functional way to assess ocular dominance, moving closer to real binocular visual experience rather than relying solely on traditional sighting tests.
About the Seth J. Obstbaum Award
Presented annually at ASCRS by the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, the Seth J. Obstbaum Award recognizes the best original research article published in the journal during the preceding year.
It is considered one of the most distinguished honors in ophthalmic surgery research.
