Why do we close our eyes when...

So I've been wondering, why do we close our eyes when we sneeze? Is it because our eyes will pop out if we don't?

 

So our eyes stay hydrated. If they weren't, they would shrivel up.

 

I always thought it was just a nerve reaction or somthing.

 

There's multiple theories.

I like the one that says it's because our body contracts in multiple ways, and it's just an muscle contraction. Your entire face squishes up when you sneeze, if you hadn't noticed.

Also, the pressure may cause you to get unwanted shit in your eyes from your nasal cavity and such.

 

Tested on mythbusters you can not pop your eyes out by sneezing. Im pretty sure Voda is correct.

 

hm so our eyes can get dehydrated in that split second we sneeze?

 

Yes ive sneezed with my eyes wide open just to see, it just makes your eyes VERY sore if you do, atleast it made my eyes sore.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D5fJYHbK7k&feature=related

Eyes dont pop out lol...

But can make them hurt and give you a head ache...

 

i really do not want to try sneezing with my eyes open. im really scared of what might happen

 

seriously dukes, fraid i might shit my pants or something ahah.

 

that's a lie because its actually impossible to.

 

Definitely muscle contraction. There's no other reasonable explanation for it.

 

I'm sure you can also break your ribs when sneezing.

 

It's a reflex, however we aren't absolutely certain why.
One reason could be so that the particles from the sneeze don't get into our eyes, I don't know tho.

 

Thanks for posting that video. I used to wonder why your eyes closed when you were sneezing myself.