Is it possible to have yellow eyes

Yellowing of the eyes and skin are almost always symptoms of a condition that requires medical treatment. Anyone with yellow eyes should contact a doctor as soon as possible or seek emergency medical attention.

This can prevent serious complications, including organ damage. The best way to get rid of the yellowing is to treat the underlying cause and any other conditions present. When jaundice is caused by an infection, such as hepatitis C or malaria , a person may need to take antibiotics , antifungals, or antivirals. When jaundice is the result of alcohol or drug use, a person may need medical assistance to help with quitting or reducing consumption. If dietary habits are behind jaundice, a person should eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, and lean meats.

Depending on the extent of damage and the organs affected, treatments may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy , or blood transfusions. Jaundice is very common in newborns, and only around 1 in 20 infants affected will require medical treatment. Neonatal jaundice can usually be resolved by increasing breast-feeding sessions to 8—12 times daily. The aim is to speed up digestion and bilirubin removal. Yellow eyes are usually associated with conditions affecting the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, or intestines.

It is important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Some lifestyle adjustments can make it easier for these organs to function, which may reduce symptoms. However, when an abnormally high number of red blood cells is broken down, bilirubin can build up quickly in the body.

Liver disease or a blockage of bile can also cause bilirubin levels to be higher. Too much bilirubin is one cause of jaundice. Healthcare providers usually order several types of liver function tests to check for liver problems. Treatment will depend on the cause, and once the cause is taken care of, the yellowing of the eyes and skin often disappears. Leptospirosis is an infection caused by Leptospira bacteria. People with this infection often have yellowing of the eyes. The infection is most common in warmer climates and in places with exposure to water that has been contaminated by animal urine.

Symptoms of leptospirosis include a cough, sore throat, headache, muscle and stomach pain, and swollen lymph nodes. People with the infection also develop an enlarged spleen or liver. Antibiotics are usually successful in treating the infection.

Alcoholism is a chronic disease that causes people to misuse alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol over time can damage the liver. People who abuse alcohol are at great risk of developing alcoholic liver disease. Liver disease, including hepatitis inflammation of the liver and cirrhosis scarring of the liver , can cause jaundice, leading to yellowing of the eyes. Treatment for alcohol-related liver disease includes stopping drinking alcohol.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that produces enzymes needed for digestion. This condition causes abdominal pain and over time can damage the pancreas. Pancreatitis also may lead to mild jaundice of the eyes and skin. Treatment may mean hospitalization with specialized care. Hemolytic anemia is a blood condition that develops when the body breaks down red blood cells too quickly, leading to a lack of blood cells.

This is known as anemia. The whites of the eyes may appear yellow because bilirubin levels increase when red blood cells break down too quickly. Treatment for hemolytic anemia requires finding out why red blood cells are being destroyed. Having your eyes turn yellow is a sign that something else is wrong—and it's a sign that's hard to miss. The yellow color may be due to a harmless broken blood vessel in the eye, or it could be due to other problems like liver disease or a bacterial infection.

Any yellowness in the eyes is a reason for medical attention. Your healthcare provider can help you determine the cause, so you can get the appropriate treatment. Doctors will look for an underlying condition like jaundice by performing a physical examination, taking a medical history, and discussing symptoms. There will also be blood and urine tests to determine liver function and detect any other abnormalities. If necessary, imaging tests may be used to examine certain organs, such as the liver.

Mild infant jaundice usually clears up without treatment in about one to two weeks. More serious cases may require treatment like phototherapy and may take some additional time to subside. Once the underlying cause is treated, yellow eyes should improve.

If you notice yellowing of your eyes or the eyes of a loved one, seek medical attention promptly. The earlier you can identify the underlying cause, the better. The team at Access Eye has devoted our careers to understanding conditions and problems affecting the eyes. If you have a question about yellow eyes or another eye health topic, we encourage you to call or email us today.

Best of the Burg Winners in Ophthalmology and Optometry! Home Contact Us Patient Portal connect. Liver function tests are a group of blood tests that indicate whether your liver is working right. If not, your doctor will prescribe medication and give you advice on how to correct or manage the problem.

Because jaundice connects to your red blood cells and their breakdown, your doctor can order a complete blood count CBC to show whether your liver has trouble processing them. If your jaundice does not relate to your liver, your doctor may move on to different tests to assess your gallbladder, including an ERCP and cholescintigraphy. These tests will show any blockages in your bile ducts.

Before you try home remedies or any other possible solutions for jaundice, ask your doctor for medical advice. Your doctor can tell you what may have caused your yellow eyes and give you more comprehensive treatment for them.

Treatment depends on the underlying source of your jaundice. Prehepatic jaundice arises from diseases like malaria and conditions like sickle cell anaemia. In these cases, your liver has not yet sustained lasting damage, but it does break down too many red blood cells and increases bilirubin in your skin.

For prehepatic jaundice, your doctor will prescribe medications and may order a blood transfusion, rehydration with an IV, or hydroxyurea if you have sickle cell disease. Intrahepatic jaundice means you have some damage to your liver caused by infections or scarring. For infections, your doctor will prescribe antiviral medication. However, if you have scarring from alcohol use, you should stop drinking. You may also need a liver transplant to reduce the chances of liver failure.

Post-hepatic jaundice means you have one or more blocked bile ducts. Usually, these cases require surgery to remove the gallbladder, as well as some of the bile duct and pancreas. Gallbladder conditions will likely require the removal of the gallbladder. According to Medical News Today , you can use the following home remedies to aid liver function and prevent jaundice:. Yellow eyes can signify a more severe condition like liver dysfunction.

Many treatments can help cure or manage the disease, but you should see your doctor immediately for diagnosis, especially if you have other symptoms along with jaundice. We are fully functional now! Your doctor can check your liver and run additional tests to get you the treatment you need.