Xref: utzoo sci.misc:1329 sci.bio:1088
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From: briscoe-duke@CS.YALE.EDU (Duke Briscoe)
Newsgroups: sci.misc,sci.bio
Subject: Re: A Sneeze (AH-choo!) Question
Message-ID: <27047@yale-celray.yale.UUCP>
Date: 13 Apr 88 15:09:17 GMT
References: <7756@alice.UUCP> <939@xn.LL.MIT.EDU> <11360@santra.UUCP> <6753@ames.arpa> <11869@santra.UUCP>
Sender: root@yale.UUCP
Reply-To: briscoe-duke@CS.YALE.EDU (Duke Briscoe)
Organization: Yale University Computer Science Dept, New Haven CT  06520-2158
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Keywords: sneeze

The only times I've noticed the sneezing reaction is when I am looking up into
a bright sky, usually towards the sun.  It is pretty clear to me that there is
a genetic basis to this reaction, and that its purpose is to keep you from
looking at light so bright that it could damage your retina.  The bit about the
sneezing occurring upon sudden exposure to bright light would be related to the
fact that your pupil has not yet adjusted to the intensity change.