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A member asked:

Can you go blind from having watery eyes when chopping onions?

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

No: It's reflexive tearing, and steps can be taken to avoid this.

Dr Eitner and another doctor agreed

Answered 3/27/2012

6.3k views

Thank

No: Onions release sulfa compounds when cut which vaporize and enter the eye tears as mild sulfuric acid. This is irritative and painful but causes no permanent harm. Most cookbooks have methods to minimize this but it is an occupational hazard of cooks.

Answered 4/23/2021

6.1k views

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