Is it?
2007-08-19 10:28:02 · 23 answers · asked by ? 4 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
Contrary to popular belief, open-eyed sneezes are possible
By Joanna Citrinbaum
Collegian Staff Writer
Some people say it's to prevent their eyes from popping out of their head. But professors say there are other reasons as to why people close their eyes when they sneeze.
James Strauss, instructor of biology, said people may close their eyes as a response to an allergic reaction.
"It probably helps to protect the eyes and squeezes out a little bit of tears," he said.
These tears help to flush the irritant out of the eyes, Strauss said.
Daniel Treviño, senior instructor in biobehavioral health, said sneezing, in general, is a normal part of the body's functions.
"Presumably it's a protective, normal body response to irritants in our airway passages," he said. "It clears some kind of irritant in our nasal passages and windpipe."
Treviño said he, personally, sneezes with his eyes open. "I don't close my eyes," he said. "It's part of the reflex."
A reflex, Treviño said, is an automatic muscle contraction pattern already built into the nervous system.
"The pattern is triggered, the muscle contracts, and the pattern gets activated without conscious willpower," he said. "The body has it built in."
It's hard to stop a sneeze once it is about to occur, Treviño said.
"You can try to stop a sneeze, but once it happens it's already a pattern hardwired into the brain."
Also, Treviño said, people have their own distinct type of sneeze. "Everyone has a different sneeze all hardwired into the person." For example, one person may have a short, quiet-sounding "Achoo," while others have a long, extended, "Ah-ah-achoo!" he said.
"It's all unique for the person. There's one pattern and that's the way you always do it."
No matter what your sneezing style, however, Strauss said it is indeed possible to sneeze with your eyes open.
"You can definitely override it if you want to," he said.
2007-08-19 10:51:00 · answer #1 · answered by ducky 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not sure...however, it is possible to close your eyes without sneezing.
2007-08-19 10:32:33 · answer #2 · answered by Dead 2 Self 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I've heard it's impossible to keep your eyes open and sneeze.
2007-08-19 10:32:14 · answer #3 · answered by Super 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No because the pressure would be too great on the eye-balls and brain and would cause damage. The only person known to do this is George W Bush.
2016-05-17 09:49:43 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, like the first one said, involuntary muscle contraction. I always heard that your eyes would pop out if you tried. Therefore I didn't. I like my eyes right where they are thank you very much!
2007-08-19 10:34:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can keep them open without causing permenant damage. Mythbusters proved that your eyes will not pop out of your head doing it.
Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D5fJYHbK7k
2007-08-19 10:38:12 · answer #6 · answered by dadudesam2 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if you hold them open. It was just confirmed on Mythbusters; Adam did it, and no his eyes didn't pop out.
2007-08-19 10:33:46 · answer #7 · answered by Jen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
Other links are here under this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneezing
PS: You could of looked this up yourself, you're quite capable and yeah I don't care if you give me a thumbs down cause I gave my opinion.
2007-08-19 10:33:18 · answer #8 · answered by ♆Şрhĩņxy - Lost In Time. 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but your eyes will fall out (or so it's been said).
2007-08-19 10:35:12 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no your eyes will pop out of your head if you force them open
2007-08-19 10:34:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋