What Causes Yellow Eyes? Symptoms and Treatment of Yellow Eyes...

There are several reasons why the white part of the eyes, known as the sclera, may turn yellow. So why do your eyes turn yellow?

Bilirubin, a yellow substance produced when our bodies break down red blood cells, can turn the whites of your eyes yellow because they contain too many chemicals. Normally, it's okay. Your liver filters bilirubin from your blood and uses it to make a liquid called bile. Bile passes through fine tubes to reach your digestive tract and then exits your body as waste.

But if you have too much bilirubin in your blood or your liver can't get rid of it quickly, it can build up in your body and cause your eyes to turn yellow. This is also called jaundice.

Causes of Yellow Eyes

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Usually viruses such as Hepatitis A, B or C infect the liver. Hepatitis damages the liver, so it can't filter out bilirubin as well. This can lead to jaundice.

Gallstone

These hard, pebble-like pieces form in your gallbladder, a small organ under your liver. Gallstones are the most common cause of blocked bile ducts. If the bile ducts are blocked by gallstones, bilirubin builds up in your blood. This causes the whites of your eyes to turn yellow.

Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol for a long time causes serious liver disease.

Alcohol can cause inflammation that destroys liver cells in some people. Over time, inflammation can replace healthy liver tissue, making it harder for your liver to do its job. Drinking too much alcohol also causes hepatitis.

Wrong Transfusion

If you are given the wrong type of blood – for example, if you have blood type A and blood type B – your immune system can destroy the wrong blood, releasing bilirubin and causing jaundice.

Fatty Liver

Fatty liver can cause liver inflammation and scarring.

Hemolytic Anemia

Anemia is a lack of healthy red blood cells in your blood. There are many types. But in hemolytic anemia, your body breaks down red blood cells too quickly. When this happens, it releases more bilirubin than your liver can handle.

Cancer