Name: Why does water squirt out of your eye if you blow your nose really hard?
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Why does water squirt out of your eye if you blow your nose really hard?

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Live Science is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. .The human body is full of quirks. For example, some people can .&nbsp;But how can some people spurt unusual fluids from their eyes, and is it dangerous to their health?It turns out that when someone squirts water out of their , they're putting pressure on a sac in the bridge of the nose (where glasses usually sit) that holds fluid draining from the eyes. This sac is called the lacrimal sac and is a part of the tear duct system.&nbsp;Related: The tear ducts, also called the nasolacrimal ducts, are tubes in the lower and upper eyelids that drain the liquid from around the eyes. The ducts lead to the sacs filled with fluid.&nbsp;"This drainage system is essentially the sewer for the eye's tears," said Dr. Michelle Andreoli, an ophthalmologist at Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group in Illinois and a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "The tear duct's drain opens at a small bump, which is visible in the upper and lower eyelid at the inside corner near the nose."This fluid usually drains into the nose and throat. For example, this is why the nose gets runny when a person cries — the liquid from the eyes flows through the tear ducts, into the sac and then to the and throat.&nbsp;Along the way, there are valves that typically stop air or liquid from backing up into the eye. But, with pressure, some people may be able to squeeze or squirt out fluids in the sac and duct. It may even make a high-pitched sound, according to case reports published in the in 2020."Some people can experience reflux or overflow through the tear duct," Andreoli told Live Science in an email. This overflow could be air from the nasal passages bubbling out the tear duct or fluid collected in the lacrimal sac, forced out by pressure from hard sneezing or nose plugging.One of the more common ways to put pressure on the nasal cavity is to perform the : Take a deep breath, close the mouth, pinch the nose and then blow out for about 10 to 15 seconds. Pressure from this maneuver will often "pop" the and put pressure on the nasal cavity. Some people report or through this duct when performing this type of pressure-building maneuver.RELATED MYSTERIES———The case report authors hypothesized that people who can push air or liquid through their tear ducts may have abnormal valves, allowing the fluid to move back up into the duct and eye.Thankfully, these party tricks are interesting but not dangerous, Andreoli said — and that's good news, because the tear duct system is a significant player in eye health.&nbsp;"If a tear duct is not functioning, the tears can back up onto the eye surface," Andreoli said. "This can cause watering, redness, irritation and discomfort."Originally published on Live Science.Stay up to date on the latest science news by signing up for our Essentials newsletter.Thank you for signing up to Live Science. You will receive a verification email shortly.There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.MOST READMOST SHARED1234512345

Live Science is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. .The human body is full of quirks. For example, some people can .&nbsp;But how can some people spurt unusual fluids from their eyes, and is it dangerous to their health?It turns out that when someone squirts water out of their , they're putting pressure on a sac in the bridge of the nose (where glasses usually sit) that holds fluid draining from the eyes. This sac is called the lacrimal sac and is a part of the tear duct system.&nbsp;Related: The tear ducts, also...

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Why does water squirt out of your eye if you blow your nose really hard?

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