Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed that the white part of your eyes appears yellowish? While a slight change in eye colour can sometimes be difficult to judge, noticeable yellowing should not simply be ignored.
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes is commonly associated with jaundice, which occurs when too much bilirubin builds up in the blood. Bilirubin is produced when old red blood cells are broken down and is normally processed by the liver.
Here are seven possible reasons your eyes may look yellowish.
1. Hepatitis
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B and C, can interfere with normal liver function and may cause jaundice.
2. Liver Disease
Conditions that damage the liver, including cirrhosis and other forms of liver disease, can cause bilirubin to accumulate in the blood. Yellowing of the eyes can therefore be one of the signs that the liver is not functioning properly.
3. Gallstones
Gallstones can sometimes block the bile ducts. When bile cannot flow normally, bilirubin can build up and cause jaundice.
4. Problems With the Bile Ducts
Blockages or other disorders affecting the bile ducts can prevent bilirubin from leaving the liver normally. This can result in yellowing of the eyes and sometimes darker urine or unusually pale stools.
5. Certain Blood Disorders
Jaundice can occur when red blood cells are being broken down faster than normal. Some blood disorders can therefore lead to increased bilirubin levels and yellowing of the eyes.
6. Certain Medicines or Toxins
Some medicines and toxic substances can damage the liver or interfere with the body’s processing of bilirubin. Taking too much of certain medicines can be particularly dangerous and may cause serious liver injury.
7. Inherited Conditions
Some inherited conditions affect how the body processes or transports bilirubin. For example, Gilbert syndrome can cause episodes of mild jaundice in some people, while rarer inherited disorders can also affect bilirubin processing.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If the whites of your eyes have genuinely turned yellow, do not try to treat the problem yourself or assume that it will disappear. The NHS advises seeking urgent medical help for yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes because jaundice can sometimes indicate a serious underlying condition.
Other symptoms that may occur include dark urine, pale stools, itching, tiredness, abdominal discomfort, nausea or vomiting.
Conclusion
Yellowish eyes are not a diagnosis by themselves. They can occur for several different reasons, ranging from conditions affecting bilirubin processing to problems involving the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts or blood.
If you notice persistent yellowing of the whites of your eyes, the safest step is to get checked by a qualified healthcare professional so the underlying cause can be identified.