Eye air

I have a bad cold and when I blow my nose air is forced out of the corner of my left eye (I hate eye things so this really disturbs me!) Is this strange or normal for some people - I am a forty year old healthy woman and do not wear any type of corrective lenses...should I see a doctor? Yuck!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

It means the flap valve that should only open into the nose area (the vavlue of Hasner) is now like a two way valve and that the air pressure is making it move up into the valve itself. There is a possibility of making infected material (pardon me but "snot") up in the tear sack and get a tear sack infection.


Usually what is advised is blow your nose without blocking off one side and without compressing either nostril. Also using over the counter Nasil Saline spray frequently to wash out the naso-pharynx and liquify the mucous is helpful.

generally surgery is not necessary. On the "stupid tricks" of the David Letterman show they sometimes have a buy that drinks a glass of milk then blows it out his eye.

Don't try that.  It would be worth seeing an Ear Nose Throat guy to look up your nose and make sure a polyp is not holding the flap open.

JCH III MD

[LA2]

Thank you so much-I was searching every where for an answer to this! Very helpful! This is a great site, thanks again!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You are welcome.
JCH III MD