Noticing a yellow tint in the whites of your eyes (the sclera) is called scleral icterus. It’s often linked to jaundice—a build-up of bilirubin in the body—and needs prompt medical evaluation. Yellow eyes are a symptom, not a disease. Treatment focuses on the underlying cause.
If your eyes suddenly turn yellow or you also experience dark urine, pale stools, fever, abdominal pain, or confusion, seek urgent care.
What Are the Common Causes of Yellow Eyes?
Yellow eyes usually mean bilirubin isn’t being processed or cleared properly. Common sources include problems in the liver, gallbladder/bile ducts, pancreas, or blood.
1) Liver-related causes (intrahepatic problems inside the liver)
- Viral hepatitis (A, B, C, others)
- Alcohol-associated or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Cirrhosis or liver scarring
- Genetic/metabolic conditions (e.g., Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis)
- Drug-induced liver injury (certain antibiotics, anti-tubercular drugs, steroids, etc.)
2) Bile duct & gallbladder causes (obstructions after the liver)
- Gallstones blocking the bile duct
- Bile duct strictures, cysts or infections
- Tumors of the bile duct, gallbladder or pancreas
3) Blood-related causes (conditions before the liver processes blood)
- Hemolytic anemia (rapid breakdown of red blood cells)
- Malaria or other infections causing hemolysis
- Transfusion reactions, G6PD deficiency, sickle cell disease
4) Less common or harmless look-alikes
- Pinguecula or pterygium (sun/UV-related yellowish patches on the white of the eye)
- Age-related yellow-brown tint of the conjunctiva
- Certain foods/supplements (excess carotene) or medications causing discoloration
Symptoms You Should Pay Attention To Along with Yellow Eyes
Besides the yellowing of the sclera:
- Yellowing of the skin
- Dark urine and pale/grey stools
- Itching, fatigue, fever, nausea/vomiting
- Right-upper abdominal pain or fullness
- Easy bruising/bleeding, swelling of legs/abdomen
Seek emergency care if yellow eyes occur with severe abdominal pain, high fever, confusion, sudden weakness, or bleeding.
What Are the Available Treatment Options for Yellow Eyes?
There is no single eye drop that cures yellow eyes. Management targets the cause:
- Pre-hepatic (hemolysis): Treat infection if present (e.g., malaria), manage anemia, medicines to slow hemolysis as indicated, and possible transfusion under physician care.
- Intrahepatic (liver): Antiviral therapy for hepatitis; stop alcohol; withdraw offending drugs; manage NAFLD with diet/weight loss; treat autoimmune/metabolic disease; manage complications of cirrhosis. Rarely, liver transplant is needed.
- Post-hepatic (obstructive): Endoscopic removal of bile duct stones (ERCP), stenting, or surgery. Gallbladder removal may be necessary in gallstone disease.
- Ocular surface mimics: Lubricants, UV protection, anti-inflammatories where appropriate; surgical removal for advanced pterygium.
Supportive care: Hydration, nutrition, and itch relief. Avoid alcohol and unnecessary medications until evaluated.
Important: Do not self-medicate with herbal/liver “detox” products without medical advice—they may worsen liver injury.
Prevention Tips and Self-Care Measures for Healthy Eyes
- Limit/avoid alcohol; maintain a healthy weight
- Vaccinate against hepatitis A & B (as advised by your physician)
- Practice safe food/water hygiene and safe sex to reduce hepatitis risk
- Use medications responsibly; monitor if on liver-affecting drugs
- Protect eyes from UV (sunglasses/hat) to prevent pinguecula/pterygium
When Should You Consult a Doctor for Yellow Eyes?
- Any new yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Yellow eyes with fever, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, dark urine, or pale stools
- Existing liver disease with worsening jaundice
- Prolonged yellow eyes after an infection or new medication
Ready to get help?
Call Eyeroots Eye Clinic to schedule your consultation with Dr. Niharika Khute today.