Why is it impossible to keep your eyes open when you sneeze?

Why is it impossible to keep your eyes open when you sneeze?
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1 Answer

Answer :

From the Boston Globe: “Actually, no one really knows. ’‘It is unclear, but scientists theorize that we close our eyes to protect them. We may be protecting our eyes from microorganisms and particles from our sneezes,” said Dr. Bonnie Henderson, director of comprehensive ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. But it could also be simply because a sneeze is a kind of bodywide reflex in which a lot of muscles contract, not just in the nose and throat but also those in the diaphragm, the abdomen, thighs, back, even sphincters (which is why some people with stress incontinence may urinate slightly when they sneeze).”
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Related questions

If you sneeze with your eyes open will your eyeballs pop out?

Description : If you sneeze with your eyes open will your eyeballs pop out?

Last Answer : answer:You would think they would. It seems logical. Actually, they blow out through your nose. One out of each nostril. Weird. And to actually answer your question. No, you remain intact if you sneeze with your eyes open. I do it all the time.

Why when people sneeze they have to close they're eyes?

Description : Why when people sneeze they have to close they're eyes?

Last Answer : So they won’t fly out ya head

If you have lightly colored eyes do you sneeze more often when you go outside?

Description : If you have lightly colored eyes do you sneeze more often when you go outside?

Last Answer : I don’t get it?

What do you do when you have to sneeze but can't?

Description : What do you do when you have to sneeze but can't?

Last Answer : I get a Kleenex and blow my nose.

What is that terrible feeling in your nostrils when you "lose" a sneeze?

Description : What is that terrible feeling in your nostrils when you "lose" a sneeze?

Last Answer : It’s the same when you’re on the verge of sexual climax & your kids walk in on you, oh shit!

Arm hurts after a sneeze, is this a sign of bad heart health?

Description : Arm hurts after a sneeze, is this a sign of bad heart health?

Last Answer : answer:First of all, don't try to make dramatic and quick changes in your body. Doing that leads to more problems than any chronic problem that you may already have, such as overweight and ... diagnosticians in the world , and even the best diagnostician in Fluther would say see a doctor .

Is it possible to sneeze while you're asleep?

Description : Is it possible to sneeze while you're asleep?

Last Answer : I’ve never done it before or heard of anyone else doing it, but I’d think that if you can cough while asleep, then you could sneeze while asleep.

Why do some people make vocal noises when they sneeze?

Description : Why do some people make vocal noises when they sneeze?

Last Answer : i say ‘hickup’ when i hickup. i cant help it. ive always done it. and everyone always laughs!

Why can I smell honey when I sneeze?

Description : Why can I smell honey when I sneeze?

Last Answer : I’m not sure why you smell honey, but consider it a blessing. Honey is delicious.

What do you do when everything seems impossible to you, even small things such as copy paste?

Description : What do you do when everything seems impossible to you, even small things such as copy paste?

Last Answer : You should ask a doctor. There are a wide range of possibilities involved. It could be something as simple as making a.change of diet, but it could be something more complicated. You need a doctor to help you sort it out.

Is it really impossible to "snap out of" a truly depressed state?

Description : Is it really impossible to "snap out of" a truly depressed state?

Last Answer : You never snap out of an abyss, it just can’t happen.

There is a lamp inside a photography darkroom. When the darkroom door is closed, it is impossible to tell from outside the room whether or not the lamp is on. There are two switches outside the door of the darkroom. One or both of the switches may control the lamp. It also could be that neither of the switches control the lamp. All you know is that the light bulb is currently off and that the lamp and bulb are in working condition. The darkroom door is closed and once you open the door you cannot touch either of the switches. If you can only open the dark-room door one time, how can you tell which switches, if any, control the lamp? -Riddles

Description : There is a lamp inside a photography darkroom. When the darkroom door is closed, it is impossible to tell from outside the room whether or not the lamp is on. There are two switches outside the door of ... dark-room door one time, how can you tell which switches, if any, control the lamp? -Riddles

Last Answer : Turn the first switch on and leave it on for ten minutes. After ten minutes, turn that switch off and turn the second switch on. Open the darkroom door, and lightly (in case it is hot) touch the ... one controls the lamp. If the lamp is off, and the bulb is cool, neither switch controls the lamp.

If you are sitting or laying down in pitch dark, does it feel odd to you to keep your eyes open?

Description : If you are sitting or laying down in pitch dark, does it feel odd to you to keep your eyes open?

Last Answer : Nah. After a while my eyes adjust and I can make things out, at least a bit. Never put much thought into it. It isn’t uncomfortable for me, though.

Do you find it really tough (almost impossible) to keep in touch with people who do not use email and/or social networking sites?

Description : Do you find it really tough (almost impossible) to keep in touch with people who do not use email and/or social networking sites?

Last Answer : I do actually. I am not fond of chatting on the phone. I prefer writing to people. Or like you mentioned sending a quick text hug or something. So yes, it does make it harder.

In the question a part of the sentence is given in BOLD. Alternatives to the BOLD part are given which may improve the construction of the sentence. Select the correct alternative. The drama had many scenes which were so humorous that it was hardly possible to keep a straight face. (a) hardly possible for keeping (b) No correction required (c)hardly impossible for keep (d) hardly possible keeping

Description : In the question a part of the sentence is given in BOLD. Alternatives to the BOLD part are given which may improve the construction of the sentence. Select the correct alternative. The drama had ... for keeping (b) No correction required (c)hardly impossible for keep (d) hardly possible keeping

Last Answer : (b) No correction required

How do you cancel a sneeze? And on average, how successful is your method?

Description : How do you cancel a sneeze? And on average, how successful is your method?

Last Answer : When you feel it coming on, press your tongue hard into the roof of your mouth just above your front teeth. If you cannot stifle it, sneeze into the crook of your elbow.

What do you call an almost sneeze?

Description : What do you call an almost sneeze?

Last Answer : I call that hugely frustrating, like when one is on the cusp of sexual climax & a passing car backfires completely putting one of their stroke.

How would you spell the way you sneeze?

Description : How would you spell the way you sneeze?

Last Answer : I need to sneeze so I can hear it. Quick! where’s the pepper?

Have you ever had the need to sneeze and nothing happens?

Description : Have you ever had the need to sneeze and nothing happens?

Last Answer : Licking my eyebrows only messes up my readers so I don’t do it as often.

Sometimes when I sneeze I catch a cramp in my chode...

Description : Sometimes when I sneeze I catch a cramp in my chode...

Last Answer : I didnt even realize I had a chode, until now.

Do you get annoyed when you sneeze?

Description : Do you get annoyed when you sneeze?

Last Answer : Only if I don’t have a tissue or I’m doing something like driving on the freeway.

Why does the sun make me sneeze?

Description : Why does the sun make me sneeze?

Last Answer : You’re not alone. This happens to me too. Here’s an article on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photic_sneeze_reflex

If Milo has an occasional brief sneeze, is it something to worry about?

Description : If Milo has an occasional brief sneeze, is it something to worry about?

Last Answer : answer:I have 7 cats, and they all sneeze on occasion. As long as they don’t have a discharge or runny nose it is most likely just dust I have Catgut, Boo, Bea, Kathy, Dark Matter, socks and Mary

How far can an elephant sneeze?

Description : How far can an elephant sneeze?

Last Answer : answer:Hahaha you're in an inventive mode today, clearly! lol Well I don't know, but, based on being sneezed on by horses and Llamas, I'd say the terminal velocity of an Elephant sneeze would be quite ... work, I was about 2 feet away and he blasted me but good, had to change my clothes! haha

Why can I only sneeze when standing up?

Description : Why can I only sneeze when standing up?

Last Answer : I don’t know. I can sneeze both sitting and lying down.

What does sneezing fix that ends the urge to sneeze?

Description : What does sneezing fix that ends the urge to sneeze?

Last Answer : answer:It expels the irritants. Regarding the number of sneezes, a Doctor once told me as a rule of thumb that two or more sneezes in quick succession were indicative of an allergic response. Sometimes, I’ll sneeze four times in a minute or two, when I do that it’s time for an allergy med.

When I sneeze, why is it always multiple (usually 6-8 times) in a row?

Description : When I sneeze, why is it always multiple (usually 6-8 times) in a row?

Last Answer : some people have what I call the “multiple sneeze gene” where they never sneeze just once. My mom has it, my coworker has it. I don’t have it, i sneeze just once.

Why do I sneeze when I pluck my eyebrows?

Description : Why do I sneeze when I pluck my eyebrows?

Last Answer : It has to do with how your facial nerves are wired. The facial nerves include the trigeminal, which has a branch that extends from the brow down into the tip of the nose. Sometimes, when plucking your eyebrows, that nerve is stimulated and it makes you have to sneeze. (via)

What does it mean when cats sneeze?

Description : What does it mean when cats sneeze?

Last Answer : Clean your house. They spend most of their time closer to the floor than you do.

What are these little semi-hard things that come out of my mouth when I sneeze?

Description : What are these little semi-hard things that come out of my mouth when I sneeze?

Last Answer : @desiree333 are these things always there, or are they are a recent development? Are you sick? Are you sure they are coming out of your mouth and not being ‘coughed up’ out of your throat?

Do your nipples get hard when you sneeze?

Description : Do your nipples get hard when you sneeze?

Last Answer : No, mine don’t, but I have heard of that before.

How often does the average person sneeze?

Description : How often does the average person sneeze?

Last Answer : Is this average person in a pepper factory?

What makes people sneeze?

Description : What makes people sneeze?

Last Answer : Looking at the sun, feathers, or lots of pepper. Dust or cat dander, things of that nature

Is it really true that a sneeze is 1/10 of an orgasm?

Description : Is it really true that a sneeze is 1/10 of an orgasm?

Last Answer : I was told it was 1/7th of an orgasm. Not to mention, how could one go about measuring something like that? I know I have had those days where the orgasm felt lesser then the for-play, and ... your body releases the same chemicals in the same ways as it does during climax, but in a lesser amount.

Do we sneeze in our sleep?

Description : Do we sneeze in our sleep?

Last Answer : Here is an excerpt of an article that I found on Wikipedia: Sneezing cannot occur during sleep due to REM atonia - a bodily state wherein motor neurons are not stimulated and reflectory signals ... sneezing that would occur afterwards would take place with at least a partially awake state of mind.

Why do people sneeze differently?

Description : Why do people sneeze differently?

Last Answer :

Do you like to sneeze?

Description : Do you like to sneeze?

Last Answer : Not when boogers/mucus are a part of the deal.

Why do I sneeze after I eat?

Description : Why do I sneeze after I eat?

Last Answer : I’m confused. Are you we talking about you or your girlfriend?

Is it bad to hold in a sneeze?

Description : Is it bad to hold in a sneeze?

Last Answer : Yes, because you don’t get that satisfaction when you say “Yes! I finally got it out!”

Do you also sneeze in bright sunlight?

Description : Do you also sneeze in bright sunlight?

Last Answer : No, can’t say I do.

Why does everyone sneeze differently?

Description : Why does everyone sneeze differently?

Last Answer : Don’t know but I sneeze loud and I wish I didn’t.

Why don't we sneeze in our sleep?

Description : Why don't we sneeze in our sleep?

Last Answer : answer:i was just reading around, some guy asked how do you know you aren't sneezing when asleep? lol I also ready that a lot of our mucus membranes are .. in laymans terms, shut off , so ... one of my sisters burp while asleep (that was nothing short of hilarious), and we cough. Dunno really..

How many times do you sneeze?

Description : How many times do you sneeze?

Last Answer : hmm it all varies, sometimes, 1–2-3.

Do you sneeze too loud?

Description : Do you sneeze too loud?

Last Answer : haha Hell yea! It’s so loud my little brother thought it was thunder storming outside, so he plugged his ears

What's happening when you sneeze?

Description : What's happening when you sneeze?

Last Answer : you should check out howstuffworks, they explain everything there even such as silly question as sneezing.

Why does my ferret sneeze a lot?

Description : She seems perfectly fine. She's very playful and eats and sleeps like a normal ferret. The only weird thing she does is sneeze a lot. When she does, there's no discharge. What can I do for her?

Last Answer : There could be a number of reasons why a ferret sneezes - allergies, infection, an abnormal opening between oral and nasal cavities, polyps in the oral cavity. Your ferret sounds pretty healthy, but if ... such as x-rays, ultrasound, endoscopy, CAT and MRI to determine if there really is a problem.

sneeze wed, is it dangerous for dogs to be around?

Description : sneeze wed, is it dangerous for dogs to be around?

Last Answer : Need Answer

Never sneeze again, or never cough again. Which one and why?

Description : Never sneeze again, or never cough again. Which one and why?

Last Answer : I already hold all of my sneezes in.

What's a foot long, made of leather, and sounds like a sneeze? -Riddles

Description : What's a foot long, made of leather, and sounds like a sneeze? -Riddles

Last Answer : A Shoe.

I'm clean when I'm black, Dirty when white; Get too close, And you might sneeze. What am I? -Riddles

Description : I'm clean when I'm black, Dirty when white; Get too close, And you might sneeze. What am I? -Riddles

Last Answer : A Chalkboard.