The eye doctor used yellow drops in my eyes. Why is it now coming out of my nose when I blow it?

Question

I went to the eye doctor today. I have a slight head cold. She put yellow drops in my eyes, and dilated my eyes. When I got home a few hours later and blew my nose, it came out bright yellow like the drops. Why is that?

Answer 1

The reason that happened is because your eye and nose sinus cavities are connected so anything that is put into your eye cavity will eventually work its way out through the nose. Nothing to be alarmed about, it's completely normal.

Answer 2

It's harmless. The drops, like all your tears, eventually drain out.

Answer 3

Nasal and optical sinuses are connected. If you have ever seen it, there are people who can inhale milk through their nose and squirt it out of their eye. Gross, but a good example of the connection.

Answer 4

It is normal and harmless.  The tears normally drain into the nose and then down to the back of the throat.  The dye has just followed the normal drainage path.  This normal drainage of tears is the reason that when you cry your nose becomes "stuffy" and you can taste your salty tears.

Sincerely,

Dr. Maller