The sensation of “air coming out of your eye” can be an unsettling experience. While it might feel alarming, this phenomenon frequently has benign explanations, stemming from the body’s natural functions. This article clarifies what causes this sensation and when it might warrant medical attention.
Understanding the Sensation
What feels like “air” escaping from the eye is not external air, but internal gas or trapped air. Individuals often describe this feeling as a bubbling, popping, or whooshing sensation. The eyes are intricately connected to the nasal passages through the nasolacrimal system, a drainage pathway designed for tears. This connection, via tear ducts, can allow air or gas movement, creating the perceived sensation. This sensation primarily involves the tear drainage pathway and the movement of internal gases or air.
Common Explanations
Most instances of feeling air from the eye are harmless and are linked to everyday bodily functions or minor pressure changes. When you blink, a thin layer of tears, known as the tear film, covers the surface of your eye. Small air bubbles can sometimes become temporarily trapped within this film, and as they dissipate or move, they might create a sensation of air escaping. Similarly, crying can also produce air pockets that subsequently escape through the tear ducts.
Increased pressure in the nasal passages, such as during a forceful sneeze or when blowing your nose vigorously, can force air upwards through the nasolacrimal ducts and out of the eye. Changes in atmospheric pressure, like those experienced during air travel or diving, can also cause air to become trapped or released within these passages, leading to the sensation. Additionally, tears themselves can naturally generate small amounts of gas, which may occasionally be perceived as air.
When It’s More Than Just Air
While often benign, the sensation of air from the eye can indicate a more significant underlying medical condition, especially if accompanied by other symptoms or trauma. One such condition involves orbital fractures, where a break in the bones surrounding the eye socket allows air from the sinuses to enter the eye area. This presence of air within the orbit, known as pneumoorbita or orbital emphysema, can result in a crackling sensation when touched (subcutaneous emphysema), and cause symptoms like swelling, bruising, and a pressure sensation around the eye.
Severe sinus infections or other sinus conditions can create abnormal pathways or fistulas that allow air to escape into the orbital region. Another less common cause is air leakage following eye or sinus surgery, or procedures involving the tear ducts, creating temporary pathways for air.
Seeking Medical Advice
It is important to consult a healthcare professional if the sensation of air from your eye is persistent, accompanied by other concerning symptoms, or occurs after an injury. Specific warning signs that warrant immediate medical attention include pain, changes in vision, swelling, redness, or discharge from the eye. If the sensation began after facial trauma, or if symptoms are worsening, seek medical evaluation.
During a medical consultation, a doctor will inquire about your symptoms and medical history. They will likely perform a thorough eye examination and may also consider imaging tests, such as a CT scan, to diagnose the cause. Only a qualified medical professional can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.