Yawning is a normal human reflex, but scientists are still not sure why it happens. Some people find that their eyes water or tear up when they yawn. Show Watery eyes can occur when yawning pulls on and stimulates the lacrimal glands, which produces tears. In some cases, the eyes may also be dry from fatigue, causing them to tear up. Not everyone’s eyes tear up when they yawn. Even in people who do experience this sensation, it may only occur occasionally. Neither yawning nor watery eyes usually signal a medical problem. However, it is important to speak with a doctor if a person experiences eye pain or dryness, frequent uncontrolled yawning, or intense fatigue or sleeplessness. Keep reading to learn more about the connection between yawning and watering eyes, including some other effects of yawning and watery eyes. The lacrimal glands are glands that secrete tears, helping keep the eyes moisturized. They sit just above the eyes, under the eyebrows. When a person yawns, depending on how forcefully they yawn or how they stretch their other facial muscles, it may put pressure on the lacrimal glands. This can stimulate them to produce tears. People also tend to yawn when they feel tired, for example, after staring all day at a computer screen. This fatigue may also cause eye fatigue. Fatigued eyes may feel dry, which can also stimulate them to produce tears, especially when yawning puts pressure on the lacrimal glands. Many animals also yawn, and in babies, yawning begins even before they are born. Though almost everyone yawns, researchers have not developed a single conclusive answer to the question of why individuals yawn. Some theories suggest they occur for the following reasons:
Learn more about why we yawn. Tearing up is not the only side effect of yawning. Some other common effects include:
Learn more about TMJ disorders. Sometimes the eyes water because they are too dry, and the body is attempting to moisturize them. Some potential causes of dry eye include:
Some medical conditions may also cause watery eyes, including:
If a person has difficulties seeing, or they experience flashes of light, this could indicate a detached retina, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. Learn more about detached retina. Yawning is a normal part of daily life, especially when around other people who are also yawning. For some individuals, this also causes tearing up or watery eyes. However, this is not a medical condition and does not require treatment. If teary eyes make a person feel self-conscious, ensuring the eyes are lubricated sufficiently may help, since dry eyes are more likely to tear. Slightly changing the way an individual yawns, tensing different muscles, or yawning in a different position, for example, may put less pressure on the lacrimal glands, reducing tearing up. If a person experiences pain in their eyes, disturbances in vision after yawning, or their dry, teary eyes disrupt daily life, speak with a doctor to check there is no underlying cause. What does it mean when you yawn and cry?Shedding a tear while yawning is a common experience and has nothing to do with how badly you need a nap. Instead, tears occur when tightly contracting facial muscles put pressure on your lacrimal glands, which help produce tears.
Does everyone tear up when they yawn?Not everyone tears up when they yawn, though. Even if it's normal for you, it might not happen every time.
How do I stop my eyes from watering and stinging?applying lubricating eye drops to reduce redness and improve eye comfort. making a warm compress by soaking a clean, soft washcloth in warm water and then placing it over the eyes. using antihistamine eye drops or tablets — which are available online — to reduce the effects of allergic reactions in the eyes.
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