New Yellowing of Eyes? What It Could Mean and When to Get Checked
A reader wrote in asking about a new yellowing of their eyes. They said it doesn’t seem to be getting worse, but they’re unsure what could be causing it.
It’s important that any visible change in the whites of the eyes gets medical attention, even when it looks mild or stable.
According to WebMD, the whites of the eyes can turn yellow when the body has too much bilirubin, a yellow substance made as red blood cells break down. The liver normally helps process bilirubin so it can leave the body without impacting the white of your eyes.
When that process slows down or gets blocked, yellowing can show up in the eyes.
What can cause eyes to look yellow?
The Cleveland Clinic states that yellowing of the whites of the eyes is called scleral icterus. It’s often linked to jaundice, which means there is too much bilirubin in the blood.
WebMD reported that yellow eyes can be tied to several possible causes, including liver disease, hepatitis, alcohol-related liver damage, gallstones, bile duct issues, pancreatic problems, blood disorders, and some medications.
It’s a wide range of potential causes and that’s why it’s important to get a thorough medical diagnosis via blood tests and more.
When it comes to bilirubin, the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, bile ducts, and red blood cells can all play a role. This is why yellow eyes aren’t really an “eye problem” most of the time. The eyes may be where the clue shows up, but the cause is often somewhere else.
Other symptoms that matter
The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that when the entire sclera turns yellow, it is often a sign of jaundice caused by bilirubin buildup.
Other symptoms can help a doctor understand what’s going on. The Cleveland Clinic lists nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, swelling or tenderness near the liver, fever, dizziness, fainting, confusion, disorientation, and unusual lethargy as symptoms that need prompt medical care when they happen with yellow-looking eyes.
Dark urine and pale stool are also worth mentioning to a doctor. So are itching, fatigue, loss of appetite, belly discomfort, chills, or unexplained weight loss. Not dramatic. Just important.
When to see a doctor
The Cleveland Clinic says people should not try to self-diagnose or self-treat scleral icterus. If the whites of the eyes look yellow, even without other symptoms, they recommend scheduling a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible.
When seeing a doctor try to provide specific details. For instance, when did the yellowing start? Is it in both eyes? Has the skin changed color too? Did any new medicine, supplement, illness, alcohol use, or stomach symptom show up around the same time?
A doctor may check bilirubin levels, liver function, medication history, alcohol use, recent infections, and signs of gallbladder, bile duct, or pancreatic trouble.
It’s important to know that any new health change should result in seeing a doctor. Yellow eyes especially should not be watched for weeks just because they aren’t getting worse.
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