In most cases, when the whites of the eyes turn yellow, it indicates the presence of excess bilirubin in the body. Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced when red blood cells break down. This is the most common symptom of a condition called jaundice, which also causes the skin to turn yellow. However, yellow eyes do not necessarily mean jaundice. Apart from jaundice, some problems in the body can cause yellow eyes. Let’s find out-
Liver disease
The liver helps perform various bodily functions. One of them is filtering bilirubin. Liver disease can disrupt this physical process. This leads to a build-up of bilirubin in the bloodstream, which then travels to your skin and eyes, causing the eyes to appear yellow. Liver disease such as hepatitis can cause yellowing of the eyes.
Gallstones
The gallbladder is a sac under the liver that stores and concentrates the bile produced by your liver. Gallstones are hard, painful masses that block the bile ducts and prevent bile from reaching the intestines. This trapped bile contains bilirubin. The blockage causes bilirubin to re-enter the bloodstream and build up, eventually turning the skin and the whites of the eyes yellow.
Pancreatitis
The pancreas is an organ located deep in the abdomen and plays an important role in digestion and regulating blood sugar levels. Normally, the pancreas rests peacefully next to the bile duct, which carries digestive fluids called bile from the liver to the intestines. Pancreatitis causes the pancreas to become inflamed and swollen, causing the organ to press on the bile duct. This can partially or completely block the flow of bile, which contains bilirubin. When bilirubin builds up in the bloodstream and overflows into the skin and eyes, it can cause them to turn yellow.
carotenemia
This disease is not related to liver problems like other causes of yellow eyes. Carotenemia is caused by beta carotene. Beta-carotene is a pigment that is abundant in orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes. When you eat too much beta-carotene-rich food, your body is unable to process it all at once, which is why the excess accumulates on your skin, especially on areas like the palms and soles, and can cause a yellow tint. Even the whites of the eyes look yellow. This yellowing is usually mild and the yellowing goes away if you reduce your intake of foods rich in beta-carotene.
some drugs
Certain medications can cause yellowing of the eyes as a side effect. These include drugs that affect the liver or cause hemolysis. Some antibiotics or cholesterol-lowering drugs can impair the liver’s ability to remove bilirubin from the bloodstream, causing high bilirubin levels and yellowing of the eyes.
