Yellow eyes usually mean that something is wrong with your liver, which is the organ that helps filter out toxins and waste from your blood. When your liver isn’t working well, a yellow substance called bilirubin builds up in your blood and can make the whites of your eyes turn yellow. This yellowing of the eyes is often called jaundice.
Sometimes, yellow eyes can also be caused by certain infections, like hepatitis, or by a blockage in the bile ducts, which are tubes that carry bile (a digestive fluid) from your liver to your gallbladder and intestines.
Yellowing of the eyes, medically known as scleral icterus, is primarily due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood, a condition known as hyperbilirubinemia. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that results from the breakdown of red blood cells. Normally, the liver processes bilirubin, combining it with bile so it can be excreted through the intestines.
When the liver is impaired or overwhelmed, it fails to adequately process bilirubin, leading to its accumulation in the blood. This excess bilirubin then deposits in various tissues, including the sclera (the white part of the eye), giving it a yellowish tint.
There are several underlying causes for this condition:
- Liver Dysfunction:
- Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, often caused by viral infections, can impair the liver’s ability to process bilirubin.
- Cirrhosis: Chronic liver damage leads to scarring and liver dysfunction, reducing its ability to clear bilirubin.
- Liver Cancer: Tumors in the liver can block the bile ducts or interfere with normal liver function.
- Hemolysis:
- An accelerated breakdown of red blood cells increases the production of bilirubin, overwhelming the liver’s capacity to process it.
- Biliary Obstruction:
- Gallstones, tumors, or strictures in the bile ducts can block the normal flow of bile from the liver to the intestines, causing bilirubin to build up in the blood.
- Genetic Disorders:
- Conditions like Gilbert’s syndrome can result in a mild and chronic elevation of bilirubin, occasionally leading to yellowing of the eyes.
In some cases, yellow eyes can be accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, or dark urine, which can help in identifying the underlying cause. If you notice yellowing in your eyes, it’s important to seek medical attention to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.