We report the unusual case of an elderly lady with glaucoma and sneeze syncope because of transient complete atrioventricular block, who had resolution of syncopal and pre-syncopal symptoms following removal of her β-blocker eyedrops. This case suggests a previously unrecognised pathophysiology in sneeze syncope and illustrates the potential problems associated with the systemic absorption of β-blocker eyedrops as well as the ingenuity of older patients when participating in the investigation of their own illnesses.