Can you sneeze with your eyes open?
Yes, it is possible to sneeze with your eyes open, but it is very difficult because closing your eyes is an automatic reflex during a sneeze. Your eyes will not pop out if you keep them open.
A sneeze is a reflex that clears irritants from the nose. When nerves in the nose detect dust, pollen or other particles, the brainstem coordinates a series of actions: a deep breath, closing the throat, building pressure and a powerful burst of air out through the nose and mouth. Closing the eyes is part of this automatic response.
Scientists are not sure exactly why we close our eyes when we sneeze. One idea is that it protects the eyes from germs and particles expelled during the sneeze. The nerves involved in sneezing and blinking are also closely connected.
A popular myth
A common myth says your eyes could pop out if you sneeze with them open. This is not true. The pressure from a sneeze does not push on the eyeballs. Some people manage to keep their eyes open during a sneeze with practice.
Did You Know?
Some people sneeze when they look at bright light. This is called the photic sneeze reflex and affects roughly 1 in 4 people.
This answer is general information, not medical advice. For a personal health question, talk to a doctor.