Why do my eyes water when I yawn? If you’re someone who rubs away tears every time a big yawn sneaks up, you’re not alone. Many adults, parents, and curious teens wonder whether it’s just a quirky reaction or a legitimate eye concern. For more information on watery eyes outside of yawning, you can explore this article on common causes and treatments.
The Basics: Why Yawning and Tearing Often Go Hand in Hand
Yawning is an involuntary process that sparks a chain reaction in your facial muscles. These muscles tighten around your eyes at the same time your mouth opens wide. This squeeze can stimulate the lacrimal glands—small structures located just above your eyelids that produce tears.
Ordinarily, tears drain through tiny openings in your eyelids called puncta, sending fluid down small ducts into your nasal cavity. However, shutting your eyes tightly during a yawn briefly interrupts that drainage. As a result, any additional tears produced by the pressured lacrimal glands have nowhere to go but outward, causing watery eyes.
Some people notice more frequent tearing than others, often because of slight variations in facial muscle structure or differences in how tightly they shut their eyelids. If dryness is also a concern, you might find it helpful to read Does Drinking Water Help with Dry Skin? for tips on hydration.
Facial Muscles: The Main Culprit
When you begin a yawn, your jaw drops, and you often scrunch the area around your eyes. The orbital portion of your orbicularis oculi muscle is largely responsible for this reflex. This movement can “wring out” the lacrimal glands.
Though the process happens fast, it’s enough to squeeze out extra moisture. If your baseline tear production is already high—whether from allergies, mild eye irritation, or certain medications—you could see even more tears rolling down. According to a 2023 article from Well+Good, about 3% of children and upwards of 13-17% of adults may experience excessive ongoing tearing (known as epiphora) for various reasons. Yawning can exacerbate that effect simply by adding pressure.
The Brain Cooling Theory
Another idea that fascinates researchers is that yawning might help regulate brain temperature. Studies exploring this theory suggest that taking in a large gulp of air could be a built-in cooling mechanism. Similarly, some experts propose that tear production during a yawn might also aid in removing heat from around the eyes or balancing facial temperature.
This “cooling” concept is still under investigation, but it does help explain why yawning is often contagious in group settings, possibly tied to social or physiological cues. While no single study has conclusively proven that tearing is essential for temperature control, the evidence is intriguing enough that researchers continue to explore this avenue.
Is It a Problem? Key Eye Conditions and Concerns
In most cases, tears that show up during a yawn aren’t an issue. Your eyes produce a thin tear film every day to protect, nourish, and lubricate the cornea. A quick burst of tears once in a while is just part of the body’s defense system, keeping your vision clear.
However, there are times when excessive tearing may indicate an underlying condition. If you have prolonged watery eyes even when not yawning, it could be due to dry eye syndrome, allergies, or blocked tear ducts. Some people with chronic dryness experience paradoxical overproduction of watery tears as their eyes attempt to compensate. If you suspect that dehydration or general fatigue worsens your tearing, you could look into Dehydration and Anxiety: How to Keep Calm and Hydrate On.
Those dealing with redness, itching, or a burning sensation should talk to a healthcare professional. Persistent epiphora—excessive tearing—may also be tied to eyelid problems, infections, or structural changes in the tear drainage system. Addressing these issues often involves eye drops, lifestyle changes, or in more severe cases, minor procedures to clear any blockages.
Additional Ways to Keep Your Eyes Comfortable
If your eyes become teary every time you yawn, it’s usually a harmless quirk. That said, a few easy steps can keep your eyes feeling comfortable:
- Stay hydrated: Drinking enough fluids supports proper tear film production and can reduce ocular irritation.
- Use warm compresses: Gently placing a warm washcloth over closed eyes can help unblock oil glands and enhance tear quality.
- Avoid harsh environments: Windy or air-conditioned settings can dry your eyes. Blink more often or use lubricating eye drops if you’re in these conditions.
- Limit digital strain: Long hours at a screen can make your eyes fatigued and prone to tearing. Taking eye breaks every 20 minutes helps refresh your tear film.
For some, watery eyes are more noticeable in certain positions or times of day. If you notice a pattern of tearing when you’re lying in bed, you might find insights in Why Do My Eyes Water When I Lie Down? Causes, Treatment, which you’ll see linked below in our final section.
Bottom Line
Most people experience occasional eye-watering when yawning, and it’s typically no cause for alarm. It’s a natural by-product of how your muscles and tear ducts react to big, involuntary gulps of air. That extra moisture can actually be beneficial, offering a momentary boost of lubrication.
Yet if the tearing is continuous, uncomfortable, or accompanied by other symptoms, it might be worth getting a professional opinion. Learn more ways to address unexpected tears by visiting Why Do My Eyes Water When I Lie Down? Causes, Treatment. From blocked tear ducts to dryness, a healthcare provider can help you pinpoint the cause and offer solutions if needed.
References
1. Healthline. (2023). “Why Do My Eyes Water When I Yawn?” Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/why-do-my-eyes-water-when-i-yawn
2. Well+Good. (2023). “Here’s the Most Likely Reason Your Eyes Water When You Yawn.” Available at: https://www.wellandgood.com/health/eyes-water-when-yawning
