Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed that the white part of your eyes is starting to look yellow? While mild changes can sometimes be harmless, yellowing of the eyes can also be a sign that something is happening inside your body.
The condition is often linked to a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow substance produced when red blood cells are broken down. Here are four possible causes of yellow eyes you should know about.
1. Liver problems
The liver plays an important role in processing bilirubin. When the liver is damaged or not working properly, bilirubin can build up in the blood and cause the whites of the eyes and sometimes the skin to turn yellow. Conditions such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and liver cirrhosis can sometimes cause jaundice.
2. Gallstones or blocked bile ducts
Bilirubin normally leaves the body through bile, which passes from the liver into the digestive system. Gallstones or other blockages can interfere with this process, causing bilirubin to build up in the body. Yellow eyes may occur along with symptoms such as abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, nausea, or itching.
3. Increased breakdown of red blood cells
Some medical conditions can cause red blood cells to break down faster than normal. When this happens, the body produces more bilirubin than the liver can process efficiently, which can result in jaundice and yellowing of the eyes. Certain blood disorders and other conditions can cause this increased breakdown.
4. Gilbert syndrome
Gilbert syndrome is a common and usually harmless condition in which the liver does not process bilirubin as efficiently as usual. People with Gilbert syndrome may occasionally notice mild yellowing of the eyes, particularly during periods of stress, illness, dehydration, fasting, or lack of sleep. It generally does not require treatment, but a healthcare professional can confirm the diagnosis.
If the whites of your eyes suddenly turn yellow, especially if you also have dark urine, pale stools, severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, confusion, or yellowing of the skin, you should seek medical attention promptly. Yellow eyes can have several causes, so it is important to find out what is actually causing the change rather than assuming it will disappear on its own.