Do you close your eyes?

GoGoSuperBug · 2026-02-27T21:10:15+00:00

At the dentist? I always close my eyes because it feels weird having someone that close to my face. I hate the opticians because I have to keep my eyes open. YABU - I keep my eyes open, it would be rude to close them. YANBU - it’s less awkward for everyone to keep them closed.

Rednotdead · 03/03/2026 08:45

I am an absolutely eye's closed person

janietreemore · 02/03/2026 09:32

Closed.sometimes screwed tight with pain or fear.

OnTheBoardwalk · 02/03/2026 09:24

Bearsdolovetrees · 02/03/2026 00:16

Erm, that’s not how they monitor whether you’re knocked out or not. You do realise that?

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Oh I just thought they waited until I started snoring before cutting me open 🙃

Bearsdolovetrees · 02/03/2026 00:16

OnTheBoardwalk · 01/03/2026 23:05

I tell dentist and hygienist they can do whatever they want as
long as I don’t see them or any equipment and keep my eyes shut

i did get ‘told off’ by an anaesthetist whilst administrating a GA to open my eyes so they could see when it knocks me out

Erm, that’s not how they monitor whether you’re knocked out or not. You do realise that?

OnTheBoardwalk · 01/03/2026 23:05

I tell dentist and hygienist they can do whatever they want as
long as I don’t see them or any equipment and keep my eyes shut

i did get ‘told off’ by an anaesthetist whilst administrating a GA to open my eyes so they could see when it knocks me out

Drew79 · 01/03/2026 22:53

Riapia · 28/02/2026 20:32

Unfortunately my dentist seems to be very keen on garlic.
I can tell exactly how close he is, even with my eyes closed.

Gross, they should know better, suggests he tries the mouthwash they probably sell there!

Drew79 · 01/03/2026 22:51

Ablondiebutagoody · 27/02/2026 21:17

Eyes open, staring at the ceiling. That's why they give you those protective glasses.

Edited

They don't give you protective glasses because you must have you're eyes open, you muppet!

Original poster

GoGoSuperBug · 01/03/2026 15:31

MrsJeanLuc · 28/02/2026 22:26

This.

Much much worse was the visit to the bladder clinic when the nurse wanted to check my pelvic floor muscles.
So she's got one hand inside me and she's saying "squeeze, squeeze" whilst making full eye contact ... I just wanted to quietly dig a hole and crawl in it!😞

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Oh my word, I honestly thought I was the only person to have experienced this, many years ago after a very quick labour destroyed my pelvic floor!

OP posts:

Hereagain2 · 01/03/2026 08:07

Trinity69 · 27/02/2026 21:16

My dentist projects underwater scenes on the ceiling so I watch the fish swimming around. It’s lovely!

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That’s very swanky! Wish we had that 🥰

Chickadee001 · 01/03/2026 06:48

iIclose them becasue even when wearing the dentist's trendy shades the light's too bright plus it's more relaxing!

Lollygaggle · 01/03/2026 04:31

Mcvitiesgold · 28/02/2026 19:44

I was at the dentist the other day and did actually think about this whilst in the chair, always have kept them open but wondered what the dentist would think if I closed them? Need a dentists opinion on here

I’ve never used dark glasses because I like to see patients eyes to check that they are comfortable and to make sure they haven’t fainted (happens a lot) . A patient is continually monitored to make sure they’re ok and it’s easier to keep connection with a person if you can see them. Dentistry is a very personal service that is much better when patient and dentist are on the same wavelength.

That being said I’ve had a lot of people fall asleep in the chair and some people who will close eyes for particular things eg injections . However I find for most very nervous patients it’s better if they keep eyes open as otherwise they are totally focused on sensations in the mouth .

mondaytosunday · 28/02/2026 22:51

No my dentist is not looking at my eyes and I’m not looking at them! I stare at the ceiling or something on the wall and just want it over with. I did go to one dentist who had a tv to look at - that was so much better!

Borborygmus · 28/02/2026 22:40

Perhaps I should compromise and just close one eye.....

TubeScreamer · 28/02/2026 22:31

I make myself stare at a fixed point on the ceiling.

BambinaCucina · 28/02/2026 22:28

I hate needles so avoid the injections where possible. I tend to focus on a point on the ceiling and just breathe through any treatment.

My dentist did manage to persuade me to have the injections for a root canal but, to be honest, she said I'd probably gone through so much pain by the time that I'd gone to the dentist that it would have been sweet relief even without!

MrsJeanLuc · 28/02/2026 22:26

frecklejuice · 27/02/2026 21:29

I’m terrified of the dentist so I shut them and keep them shut until it’s done!

This.

Much much worse was the visit to the bladder clinic when the nurse wanted to check my pelvic floor muscles.
So she's got one hand inside me and she's saying "squeeze, squeeze" whilst making full eye contact ... I just wanted to quietly dig a hole and crawl in it!😞

TheMauveBeaker · 28/02/2026 22:13

Closed. I’ve a dentist phobia and that’s the only way I can get through an appointment.

Trinity69 · 28/02/2026 21:15

EvieBB · 28/02/2026 20:11

Oooo.....why does mine not do this?! That sounds lovely.....might have to suggest mine does the same lol
Do you have a private dentist?

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I do go private, yes.

Riapia · 28/02/2026 20:32

Unfortunately my dentist seems to be very keen on garlic.
I can tell exactly how close he is, even with my eyes closed.

Ghyllscramble · 28/02/2026 20:31

It's never once occurred to me to close my eyes at the dentist! I honestly didn't realise it was an option! Mine has a big illuminated picture of the sky on the ceiling and I stare at that. Wonder what dentists prefer their patients to do.
I don't think I'll give it a go as I'll start to drift off, and am then likely to give a startled nonsense-answer to any questions they might ask and embarrass myself.

Peppermintpatty24 · 28/02/2026 20:28

The protective glasses are mandatory PPE, for health & Safety. The purpose to prevent any debris/dropped instruments, (cos it does happen) going into the eyes, and to shade from the bright overhead dental light.

Bristolandlazy · 28/02/2026 20:15

I struggle a bit with eye contact in general but at the dentist, opticians etc I stare at a fixed point on the ceiling etc.

EvieBB · 28/02/2026 20:11

Trinity69 · 27/02/2026 21:16

My dentist projects underwater scenes on the ceiling so I watch the fish swimming around. It’s lovely!

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Oooo.....why does mine not do this?! That sounds lovely.....might have to suggest mine does the same lol
Do you have a private dentist?

Mcvitiesgold · 28/02/2026 19:44

I was at the dentist the other day and did actually think about this whilst in the chair, always have kept them open but wondered what the dentist would think if I closed them? Need a dentists opinion on here

ThisCyanMember · 28/02/2026 19:25

Yes but mainly because the bright light is likely to give me a migraine!