Bright Lights Make You Sneeze?
It was a very long day in clinic today. There were many new patients and others who were added on to my full schedule. Most adult patients get a dilated eye exam since it may be their only clinic visit for a year or longer. Dilating the pupils offers me the clearest view of the retina, the part of the exam called ophthalmoscopy. One specific technique, indirect ophthalmoscopy, provides a stereoscopic 3D view of the back of the eye. The only drawback is that it requires the use of a very bright illuminating headlamp - not unlike a coal miner. Maybe you have endured this procedure.
It surprised me today how often my patients sneezed when I began indirect ophthalmoscopy. This well-recognized phenomenon is called photic sneezing. Perhaps 1-in-10 adults overall are susceptible. It seemed to me that many more were sneezing today. Photic sneezing is not dangerous and only happens once per exam.
There are many interesting theories to explain photic sneezing but there remains no consensus. Would it surprise you to learn that a team of Neurologists is researching the genetic inheritance of this peculiar human behavior? Click here to learn more about photic sneezing.
Photic sneezing, another reason why eye doctors maintain such a huge supply of Kleenex in their clinics!
Related Topics: Preventing Vision Loss, Slew of New Lenses Act Like Real Eyes
It surprised me today how often my patients sneezed when I began indirect ophthalmoscopy. This well-recognized phenomenon is called photic sneezing. Perhaps 1-in-10 adults overall are susceptible. It seemed to me that many more were sneezing today. Photic sneezing is not dangerous and only happens once per exam.
There are many interesting theories to explain photic sneezing but there remains no consensus. Would it surprise you to learn that a team of Neurologists is researching the genetic inheritance of this peculiar human behavior? Click here to learn more about photic sneezing.
Photic sneezing, another reason why eye doctors maintain such a huge supply of Kleenex in their clinics!
Related Topics: Preventing Vision Loss, Slew of New Lenses Act Like Real Eyes
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12 Comments:
Myself and my two sons (4 and 1) are all are photic sneezers. We call them 'sunshine sneezes.' It's usually funny, but does make driving difficult sometimes!
I didn't realize there was a name for it. I think the incidence is less than 1 in 10 because friends think I'm a freak -- they're never heard of such a thing.
It happens most often when I go outside. And it's not just one sneeze -- it's often several.
Years ago I mentioned it during an eye exam and ended up with tinted lenses, which I hated.
My daughter does this, too! We call it sun sneezing! Every single time she goes outside after being inside... she sneezes at least 3 or 4 times from the sun!! This has happened since she was a tiny baby!! We've never heard anyone else do this... and are glad to know that others experience this too!! Her school friends... say God Bless You to her... even before the outside door opens...knowing that once she enters the sunshine outdoors... her sneezes will surely follow!!
I also sneeze in bright light - usually when I walk out into bright sunlight but it also can work if I need to sneeze and look at a bright light. I know one of my older brothers does the same thing. I never thought of it as a genetic fluke!
While I never knew it was scientifically recognized, I've used this as a method for making me sneeze when I feel one coming on. Instead of allowing it to linger and come out when it's good and ready, I look up into a bright light to make it happen more quickly.
Try it sometime.
Old School
I guess I (and my father) am considered to be a "Photic Sneezer" too. I definitely think that the occurence is less than 1 in 10 (more like 1 in 100). All of my friends think I'm crazy until they spend a SUNNY day with me and they're constantly "blessing" me. :)
I think I will adopt the "Sunshine Sneeze" though!
It seems like I only get photic sneezes when walking outside after being inside, when questioned about it I usually say I'm just allergic to sunlight. :)
hey me and my best friend do it! i thought everyone did it.
I am the only person in my family who is a photic/sunshine sneezer. When people start to notice my condition I also just say I'm allergic to the sun.
I heard that the reason this occurs is that a small tear forms inside the nasal cavity and tickles until a sneeze occurs. The reason behind the rarity being how the tear ducts develop in different people. This is only hearsay, I do not know for sure.
So I definitely think that it is hereditary. When I was young if I ever had to sneeze and couldn't, my mom always told me to look at a light. I thought it was normal until I started telling people to do this and they thought I was crazy. Now I have a daughter and she has it too. My husband thinks it is the most bizarre thing he has ever heard and makes fun of me constantly. Glad to know there are others.
Guess what? I have it as well,but dont think of it as a curse but a chosen one.My friends think of me as a freak as well, but I just continue to smile and sneeze,We are rare ones...1 and 10 wow!!!,probably closer to a 100, I agree.Happy sneezing...ha-chew
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