Why We Close Our Eyes When We Sneez: 2 Most Probable Theories
Fun fact: sneezing is a defensive reaction.
Thanks to this action, our body is cleansed of irritants (dust, allergens, etc.) that have settled on the nasal mucosa.
As a result, foreign particles fly out into the surrounding space and settle on objects located there, including mucous membranes. The eyelids are no exception.
Therefore, in order for the fight against pathogens to have a result and not be useless, the brain “orders” the eyes to close and thereby eliminate all possible “entrances” for irritants.
However, there is another theory, according to which the reason why a person closes his eyes during sneezing is muscle contractions.
Since the entire face tenses during the sneezing process, the eye muscles cannot remain unused.
The question arises: is it possible to sneeze while keeping your eyes open?
Contrary to popular belief, the answer is yes. But if you set a goal for yourself not to close your eyes when you sneeze, remember that irritants can get into your eyes, and there is also a risk of getting a subluxation of the eyeball - this sometimes happens with a very powerful sneeze.
