Why is it that bright lights make us sneeze??

[Shine]

Does anybody know anything about the physiological reason for this? :shrug:

I've always wondered.

I've been fighting a cold the last couple of days and have been sneezing a LOT...

[BrotherBuzz]

1. Tear ducts are connected to your sinus

Light stimulates an increase in tears and they roll back into your sinuses, tickling them, and you sneeze. I have three huge sneezes everyday when I first face the eastern sunrise.

[rug]

2. I once sneezed in an optometrist's face when he shined that light in my pupil.

http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/aug97/865380242.Me.r.html

[vixengrl]

3. Um, it's not everybody. It's actually genetic.

Although it is a dominant trait. It's called photic sneezing.

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=15801

I suppose if you tend to sneeze in bright light, fighting a cold wouldn't help.