Why do people shut their eyes when they sneeze?

1. 71

   Pearldiverposted 13 years ago

   Why do people shut their eyes when they sneeze?

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2. 60

   WindMaestroposted 13 years ago

   As a protective measure for the body. When we sneeze our head commits an action of immense trauma; some sneezes can be 100 mph. This makes it almost like every time we sneeze our head experiences the force of a car accident. There really isn't a lot holding our eyes in. There is no bone or strong muscle, because it simply sits in the eye socket and is held in by nerves and a protective thin muscle. If we were to sneeze with our eyes open, if it was forceful enough, it may go to the extreme of having our eyes fall out, and in the least sense, will cause so much trauma to our eyes and what is holding them in that it would eventually rupture and permanently damage the area and our sight.
   Fun to think about.

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3. 0

   Poetic Foolposted 13 years ago

   It is a primitive reflex intended to protect the eyes.  It may be for the reason that WindMaestro cites or simply to reduce the exposure of the eyes themselves to the microorganisms and debris ejected during a sneeze.

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4. 73

   Twilight Lawnsposted 13 years ago

   I don't know why, and I know it is perhaps less than a second that the  eyes are closed, but when I am driving at about 70 MPH down a motorway, there is a lot of distance travelled in that one second.
   Even driving in a 30 MPH area, I  could squidge someone.

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5. 94

   AliciaCposted 13 years ago

   Sneezing is a common but often annoying and embarrassing occurrence. Many myths have developed about the process, which still seems somewhat mysterious today. read more

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6. 81

   badeggposted 13 years ago

   So that their eyes don't blow across the room.

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