Q: Can you have yellow skin without yellow eyes?Ī: Yes, it is possible to have yellow-tinged skin without having yellow eyes. Yellow eyes may be a sign that your liver is not working properly. Q: Should I be worried about yellow eyes?Ī: If you notice a rapid yellowing of your eyes, you need to see a doctor. People with jaundice are advised to stay well-hydrated and eat more liver-friendly foods, such as:Īs the liver begins to heal with treatment, jaundice (and yellow eyes) will subside.Ĭertain conditions, such as a blocked bile duct, may require surgery before the whites of the eyes return to their normal color. The liver processes and metabolizes most digested nutrients, and it works harder when foods are difficult to digest. If alcohol or drug use are part of the diagnosis, giving up those substances will start the healing process.ĭiet can also play an important role. If the underlying cause of yellow eyes is found to be an infection like hepatitis C or malaria, a doctor may prescribe antibiotic, antifungal or antiviral medications. Together with a review of symptoms, medical history, a physical exam and possibly imaging tests, the test results will help determine the diagnosis.
The best treatment for yellow eyes is determined by a number of tests, including one that measures the amount of bilirubin in the blood and a complete blood count, along with other liver tests. These symptoms can help a doctor diagnose and treat the problem. Yellow eyes may be the most visible sign of certain conditions, but the symptoms that occur alongside eye discoloration can be just as important. How yellow eyes are treated depends on their underlying cause. In these cases, a doctor may suspect a more concerning underlying condition that requires medical treatment.Īs with newborns, the liver is the first area of focus when jaundice occurs in children and adults. Jaundice is much less common in older children and adults. For moderate cases, a special light therapy is usually used to reduce bilirubin levels, often resulting in a quick recovery. Mild cases of infantile jaundice usually clear up on their own - only around one in 20 affected infants require intervention. Infants born prematurely are at a higher risk because their livers aren’t mature enough to process bilirubin. About 60% of all babies develop jaundice, which can include yellow eyes. SEE RELATED: What causes red eyes? Jaundice in babies Some cancers, including cancers of the liver, pancreas and gallbladder. Cirrhosis can be caused by many forms of liver disease, including hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic alcoholism – all of which can cause yellow eyes. Hepatitis A, B and C viruses can infect liver cells, causing either short- or long-term hepatitis and yellowing of the eyes.Ĭirrhosis, a late-stage scarring of the liver that reduces the liver's ability to filter bilirubin. Rare genetic disorders that affect the way the liver processes bilirubin.Īutoimmune diseases that attack the body’s immune system.
Malaria, a mosquito-borne blood infection common in some parts of the world.Ĭertain blood disorders that affect the production and lifespan of red blood cells, such as sickle cell anemia. Hemolytic anemia, a congenital blood disorder that occurs when the blood lacks healthy red blood cells. A pinguecula can be surgically removed if it gets too large or bothersome. When the bile cannot flow properly, it builds up in the blood.Ī pinguecula is a yellowish growth that can develop over part of the sclera, often thought to be caused by too much sun exposure. Obstruction jaundice can occur when one or more of the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder becomes blocked by gallstones. Specific medications, including excess acetaminophen and prescription drugs like penicillin, oral contraceptives, chlorpromazine and anabolic steroids.Īcute pancreatitis, an infection of the pancreas. Yellow eyes can be caused by the following conditions: If this part of your eye ( sclera) is anything other than white, an eye doctor can help you figure out what's causing the color change. The whites of your eyes should always look white. The term scleral icterus may also be used. Instead, it's a sign that the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts aren't functioning like they should.Ĭonjunctival icterus is the medical term for yellow eyes. Even though it makes the eyes look yellow, it doesn't affect vision. Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by high levels of a pigment called bilirubin. Treatment depends on the underlying cause of eye discoloration. Yellow eyes can be caused by the excess use of certain medications or a number of medical conditions, some serious. Yellow eyes are usually a sign that you have jaundice.
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