5 major causes of yellow eyes

The main cause of yellow eyes is having too much of a chemical called ‘bilirubin’, a yellow substance that forms when red blood cells break down. 

In other words, the whites of the eyes, ‘sclera,’ turn yellow when you have a health condition called ‘jaundice.’

The liver filters bilirubin from the blood and turns it into a fluid called ‘bile’ that gets to the digestive system and then comes out as waste from your body. But if your liver can’t get rid of it (bilirubin) on time, it will build up in your body and turn your eyes yellow. 

But there is more to jaundice than the above explanation. More reasons an adult may develop it are listed below.

1. Gallstones 

Gallstones are pebble-like pieces in your gallbladder — a small organ under your liver. They are the main cause of blocked bile ducts, which also leads to the bilirubin to build up in your body. In addition, bile ducts are like drainpipes that carry fluid from the liver to the gallbladder, where it is stored.

2. Too much alcohol

Too much alcohol can cause yellow eyes. Drinking heavily for about 8 to 10 years can damage your liver or lead to inflammation that destroys the liver cells. In this kind of situation, it would be difficult for your liver to filter anything or function well. 

3. Hepatitis 

Hepatitis is caused by a virus that affects the liver cells. It could be short or long term, when it lasts for about six months. Hepatitis literally destroys the liver; therefore, it can’t filter bilirubin, which automatically results in jaundice. 

4. Sickle cell anemia

This is a disease common among Caribbean and African people. Sickle cell anemia makes sticky red blood cells that die faster before the liver can filter them. Through this, bilirubin can build up, causing jaundice. 

5. Wrong blood transfusion

Another cause of yellow eyes is getting the wrong blood type into your body. For instance, you have type A blood and you get type B. Although your immune system might destroy the wrong blood cells, there is a chance of bilirubin.