Yellow Eyes – What are Yellow Eyes a Symptom Of?

Yellow eyes typically occur when a person has jaundice. Jaundice is a condition in which the hemoglobin present in the blood breaks down into bilirubin which the body is unable to clear. It is a waste substance that is present in the bile and bile is used to break down the fats in the body.

Yellow eyes

Bilirubin is naturally passed down to the bile ducts from the liver and then released in the stool. When the body fails to release it then the bilirubin starts to build up in the skin and tissues which makes the eyes appear yellow.

The white part of the eye is called sclera. A healthy sclera is supposed to naturally look white but the yellowing of eyes indicates that there is some medical condition present in the body that is the cause of it.

What Causes Yellow Eyes?

Yellow eyes are caused due to the malfunctioning of the following:

  • Liver
  • Pancreas
  • Gall bladder
  • Other organs

It is also caused by alcoholism, anemia, subconjunctival hemorrhage (eye bleed)

Treatment for Yellow Eyes

The best way to treat the yellowing of eyes is to get to the root of the problem and the reason behind it right away. For this purpose you will need to go through a range of different tests done by your doctor.

If your yellow eyes are caused by jaundice, you need to take antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals.

Reduce your alcohol consumption considerably if the cause of your jaundice is due to the heavy intake of alcohol.

If poor diet is the reason behind your yellow eyes, then consume more vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, and lean meats.

Sometimes yellow eyes are also caused by organ damage, injury, anemia and cancer. In such extreme cases, the treatment of the condition may require surgery, blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and radiation.

If your yellow eyes are a symptom of anemia, then make sure to increase your iron intake. Consume foods like chicken, liver, chicken and leafy vegetables and greens to increase the iron levels.

If hepatitis is the reason behind your yellow eyes, then take an antiviral medication as the liver inflammation is mostly caused by a virus.

Home Remedies for Yellow Eyes

As mentioned, yellow eyes are caused because of an affected liver, pancreas or gallbladder which makes it important to see a doctor for a proper treatment and the right diagnosis.

Following are some simple home remedies to improve the usual lifestyle that can help in making these organs function better and reduce the symptoms.

  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Consume ample amount of dietary fiber in the form of vegetables, fruits, legumes, beans and whole grains.
  • Avoid processed food.
  • Consume lean protein in the form of nuts, legumes and most importantly fish.
  • Avoid food that are rich in fats.
  • Avoid heavy consumption of alcohol.
  • Cut down the intake of carbohydrates that are present in candies and baked goods.
  • Avoid smoking especially tobacco.
  • Exercise daily.
  • Avoid using prescription medications extensively or using illegal drugs.

Supplements for Yellow Eyes

  • Licorice root
  • Milk thistle
  • Resveratrol found in berries, wine and grapes.
  • Coffee
  • Vitamin E
  • Naringenin, a component found in grapefruits and tomatoes.

Preventing Yellow Eyes

Yellow eyes are mostly due to the malfunctioning of the liver, therefore it is important if proper and healthy diet that includes the consumption of non-processed natural food is followed along with regular exercise to help maintain the vitality of your liver.

References

Kabat, Alan and Joseph W. Sowka. Patient has two golden globes. Review of Optometry. 2013.

https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/patient-has-two-golden-globes

Boyd, Kierstan. Subconjunctival Hemmorhage. American Academy of Ophthalmology. 2016.

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-subconjunctival-hemorrhage

Muchowski, K. E. (2014, June 1). Evaluation and treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. American Family Physician, 89(11), 873-878.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0601/p873.html

Xiong, F., & Guan, Y.-S. (2017, May 21). Cautiously using natural medicine to treat liver problems. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 23(19), 3388–3395.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5442075/

Adult jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia). (2014)

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15367-adult-jaundice-hyperbilirubinemia

Jaundice. (2018, January 30)

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/jaundice/

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-yellow-eyes#takeaway

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/jaundice/

https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-are-my-eyes-yellow-3421931

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312403.php

https://www.livestrong.com/article/273743-how-to-get-rid-of-yellow-in-the-eyes/

https://www.epainassist.com/articles/what-causes-yellow-eyes-and-home-remedies-to-get-rid-of-it