Many people experience watery eyes when yawning. This isn't usually a cause for concern. The reason is simple: facial muscle contraction.
The Mechanics of Yawning and Tear Production
When you yawn, numerous facial muscles contract, including those around your eyes. This contraction puts pressure on the lacrimal glands, also known as tear glands, located near the outer corner of each eye. This pressure stimulates tear production, leading to watery eyes. As noted by a February 9, 2021, article, "Your facial muscles contract when you yawn, including the area around your eyes. This puts pressure on tear-producing glands and, before you know it, your eyes fill with tears."
Think of it like squeezing a sponge – applying pressure releases the liquid within. Similarly, contracting facial muscles during a yawn squeezes the lacrimal glands, resulting in tear release. Individuals prone to watery eyes generally experience this effect more noticeably. This is also supported by a Reddit thread on AskScience (https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/o97xf/why_do_my_eyes_water_significantly_when_i_yawn/), which mentions that "when you yawn you scrunch up a bunch of facial muscles. That causes the tear glands and ducts to be..." affected.
Individual Variation
It's important to note that not everyone experiences this phenomenon. The intensity of tear production varies from person to person. Some might only occasionally notice watery eyes after yawning, while others experience it more frequently and intensely. As stated by Medical News Today (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-do-my-eyes-water-when-i-yawn), "Not everyone's eyes tear up when they yawn. Even in people who do experience this sensation, it may only occur occasionally."
