The whites of the eyes have turned yellow: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, consequences and recommendations from doctors. Why are the eyes yellow? The most common causes of yellowing of the sclera Why do my eyes have yellow eyes?

Yellowing of the eye membranes can be diagnosed using different methods:

1. Clinical analysis of blood and urine.
2. Performing an ultrasound of the suspected diseased organ.
3. Conducting a CT scan of the abdominal organs.
4. Carrying out immunological and genetic tests.

Depending on the form of the pathology, as well as on the body system that provoked the appearance of yellow eyes, individual research methods are prescribed.

Treatment

Treatment of yellows involves treating the organ or body system that caused the unpleasant symptom. Doctors recommend first getting rid of bad habits and changing your diet. It is important to exclude flour, too salty/sweet, spicy and fried foods. Drinking alcohol is prohibited.

Diagnosis and treatment of yellow eyes

The treatment method is determined as follows:

1. The patient comes to the clinic with a problem of yellow membranes of the eye.
2. The doctor examines the eyes, instructs you to undergo a comprehensive examination, and refers you to a specialist.
3. Further, the treatment of yellow eyes depends on the disease, which will be confirmed through diagnostic measures.

Liver diseases– conservative treatment is carried out. Also, if necessary, surgical intervention may be required. Pharmacotherapy often includes a number of groups of drugs that will help to have a comprehensive effect on a particular disease of the hepatobiliary system.

Blood diseases– often treated with conservative comprehensive treatment, however, some forms of pathologies cannot be completely cured.

Surgical treatment of most pathologies that cause yellow sclera

For blood diseases it is recommended to use:

• etiotropic therapy (malaria, babesiosis, poisoning with hemolytic poisons);
• antimalarials (malaria);
• splenectomy (erythrocyte membranopathy);
• transfusion of red blood cells (erythrocyte enzymopathy, erythrocyte hemoglobinopathy);
• immunosuppressants and cytostatics (autoimmune hemolytic anemia);
• antibiotics (babesiol).

Biliary tract diseases– symptomatic treatment is indicated to remove congestion in the biliary tract.

How to get rid of yellow eyes?

It is impossible to clear yellowness from your eyes on your own. To do this, it is necessary to identify the exact cause of the symptom, and then undergo a course of treatment.

Why is the urine dark when the sclera is yellow?

This is due to the fact that direct bilirubin, which is also released into the blood when liver function is impaired, can not only accumulate in the mucous membranes and skin, but also penetrate into the urine. There it reacts and turns the urine dark.

Why do the whites of the eyes turn yellow after a high dose of alcohol?

Yellowing of the sclera after large doses of alcohol causes toxic hepatitis, in which the liver is able to repair itself over time. But its functionality is temporarily impaired, so all the bilirubin that circulates in the blood accumulates in the skin and sclera, turning them yellow.

What do high temperatures and yellow eyes mean?

As a rule, if a person has an elevated body temperature, they speak of inflammatory processes in the patient’s body. An increase in temperature is a signal of the beginning of the immune system’s fight against harmful microorganisms. Therefore, if a patient has yellow eyes and fever, they speak of infectious pathologies of the liver. Sometimes this happens due to gallstone disease or cancer.

Are there any eye drops for yellow sclera?

No, they don't exist. In order to get rid of the problem, you need to cure the underlying disease. Since yellow eyes are a sign of internal disease.

As you know, eyes are the mirror of a person’s soul, but they can tell no less about the state of health. Yellowness of the sclera (icterus) is most often a sign of the development of jaundice (hemolytic, hepatic and cholestatic), in some cases it indicates the development of certain eye diseases and other pathological conditions. One way or another, yellow sclera of the eyes is always an alarming sign, as it indicates serious pathological changes in the body. Therefore, in no case should such a symptom be ignored; you should immediately seek medical help to determine the cause of scleral icterus.

The essence of the pathological symptom

The sclera (albuginea of ​​the eye, white) is the outer connective tissue dense membrane of the eyeball, which primarily performs a protective and supporting function. The sclera of the eyes consists of collagen fibers collected in bundles. Its average thickness is 0.3-1 mm, in children it is so thin that visual pigment is visible and the tunica albuginea often has a bluish tint; the thickness increases with age.

The main cause of yellow sclera is the pigment bilirubin. Normally, the amount of bilirubin in the blood serum does not exceed 8-20.5 µmol/l. The pigment is formed as a result of the breakdown of red blood cells, then it enters the liver from the blood, where its cells “bind” bilirubin, after which this “neutralized” pigment enters the intestines as part of bile and is excreted along with feces.

Part of the bilirubin is reabsorbed into the blood from the intestines and can enter the urine. It is this pigment that ensures the normal color of urine and feces.

Yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, including the sclera of the eyes, occurs due to an increase in the content of bilirubin in the blood, regardless of the cause. The first signs of jaundice appear when the bilirubin content in the blood is above 35-45 µmol/l, which is almost 2 times higher than normal.

Important! The yellow color of the sclera appears much earlier than the icterus of the skin; this is an early sign of jaundice.

Therefore, if you notice such a sign in yourself or a relative, there is no need to hesitate to contact a doctor and waste precious time.

Diseases of the hepatobiliary system and pancreas

In liver diseases, the binding of bilirubin in hepatocytes (liver cells) is disrupted due to damage and destruction of the latter. As a result, an excess of this pigment accumulates in the blood serum, which is externally manifested by jaundice and icterus of the sclera of the eyes.

In liver cirrhosis, the cells of the organ are replaced by fibrous connective tissue, as a result of which the gland loses its functions, including the ability to bind bilirubin, which is clinically manifested as jaundice.

Each of these diseases has its own characteristic clinical manifestations, but all of them can be accompanied by yellowness of the whites of the eyes and skin.

Yellowing of the sclera in pathologies of the biliary tract is associated with the accumulation in the blood of bilirubin already bound in the liver due to the impossibility of its movement into the intestines for various reasons, for example, blockage of the bile duct with a stone. As a result, the normal outflow of bile, rich in bilirubin, from the liver to the intestine is disrupted, small intrahepatic bile ducts along with blood vessels are ruptured, and the bile is absorbed back into the blood and causes the development of cholestatic jaundice.

Cholestatic jaundice has its own characteristics. The mucous membranes and skin are painted an intense yellow color, close to orange. Intense skin itching appears, due to which scratches appear on the skin. The pain syndrome is intense and localized in the right hypochondrium. The feces become discolored (become gray, like clay), and the urine takes on the characteristic shade of beer.

Cholestatic jaundice requires urgent, usually surgical, care

In diseases of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis, benign and malignant neoplasms), the organ increases in volume, which may be accompanied by compression of the common bile duct and disruption of the outflow of bile. As a result, jaundice and icterus of the sclera occurs according to the same cholestatic mechanism as in pathologies of the biliary tract.

Blood diseases

Blood diseases that occur with the destruction of red blood cells and the breakdown of hemoglobin are accompanied by the hemolytic type of jaundice. In this case, the skin is slightly stained (they have a pale color with a slightly icteric color), and the sclera has a lemon-yellow color.

In sickle cell anemia, red blood cells have a pathological crescent shape, which is why they are quickly destroyed; as a result of this hemolysis, the level of bilirubin in the blood increases and yellowness of the sclera appears.

Yellowness of the eyes in newborns

Yellowing of the sclera and skin in infants is a very common occurrence. A newborn baby is characterized by certain peculiarities of bilirubin metabolism. Immediately after birth, there is an intensive breakdown of the fetal form of red blood cell hemoglobin, which provided the child with oxygen during intrauterine development. As a result, a large amount of bilirubin is formed, which the liver of a small person, due to the immaturity of enzymatic systems, does not have time to neutralize. Clinically, this condition manifests itself as jaundice and is called physiological, that is, this is a normal condition that does not require treatment, and the skin and sclera clear of yellowness on their own within 2-3 weeks of the baby’s life.

But the baby may also develop pathological jaundice, which requires urgent medical attention. The causes of this jaundice may be:

• hereditary diseases;
• the use of any medications;
• pathology of the endocrine system;
• metabolic disorders;
• asphyxia during childbirth;
• hemolytic disease of the newborn;
• malformations of the hepatobiliary system;
• compression of the bile ducts by tumors;
• intrauterine infections.

Pathological jaundice appears quickly (immediately after birth) or the child is already born with icterus, it progresses, descends to the palms and feet, and is accompanied by a disturbance in the general condition of the child and other pathological symptoms, depending on the cause.

The severity of jaundice in newborns is assessed using the Cramer scale, on which further treatment depends

Metabolic genetic pathologies

There are diseases that are genetic in nature and are accompanied by metabolic disorders of certain substances, as a result of which jaundice syndrome occurs and scleral icterus appears.

Such pathologies include:

• Hemochromatosis is a disease in which the normal metabolism of iron in the body is affected, as a result of which it accumulates in various organs and tissues.
• Wilson-Konovalov disease is a pathology associated with impaired copper metabolism in the body.
• Gilbert's disease is a hereditary liver pathology in which the process of “neutralizing” bilirubin in the blood is disrupted. This group also includes Crigler-Nayyar and Dabin-Johnson syndrome.
• Amyloidosis is a systemic metabolic disorder, as a result of which abnormal amyloid protein accumulates in various organs and tissues.

Gilbert's syndrome can be diagnosed by comparing patient complaints and laboratory data

Ophthalmic causes

In some cases, the causes of yellowish whites of the eyes are not related to the metabolism of bilirubin and the development of jaundice. Icterus in such cases, as a rule, is focal in nature, that is, it manifests itself in the form of spots on the sclera. If such a symptom is noticed, then you need, first of all, to look for some kind of ophthalmological disease.

Pterygium

Pterygium is a pathological growth of the conjunctiva of the eye onto the area of ​​​​the transparent cornea and pupil. The disease is slowly progressive and can significantly affect the visual function of the affected eye.

Unfortunately, the true cause of the development of pterygium is unknown; its formation is associated with the negative impact of environmental factors (dust, ultraviolet radiation, wind, etc.) on the eye in people genetically prone to this. The disease develops in people of different ages, but more often in mature patients. Pterygium usually grows from the nasal part of the eye, but simultaneous bilateral lesions also occur.

The photo shows the pathology - pterygium of the eye

For a long time, pterygium does not manifest itself in any way, except for the presence of a cosmetic defect that is visible to the naked eye. As the formation progresses, it “creeps” onto the central part of the cornea and closes the pupil, which is accompanied by a significant decrease in vision. Sometimes the pterygium can become inflamed, causing itching, burning, a feeling of sand in the eyes, redness and swelling.

Diagnosis is not difficult. A simple ophthalmological examination is sufficient. Treatment of pterygium is surgical. If the pathology does not progress for a long time and does not interfere with vision, it can be observed. But if the condition worsens, it is necessary to operate on the pterygium as soon as possible, since after the operation cloudiness remains on the cornea, and if it touches the central optical zone, the patient’s vision will deteriorate significantly.

Pinguecula

A pinguecula is a small yellow formation in the sclera of the eye at the border of the conjunctiva and cornea, which can be slightly raised and has an elastic structure. Pingueculae are often called wen. They are most often located on the nasal side of the eye.

This is what a pinguecula looks like

This is a fairly common pathology that has a favorable prognosis. Pinguecula does not have a negative effect on human vision and the eyeball as a whole. It is asymptomatic, with the exception of a small cosmetic defect.

Most often, pingueculae are found in elderly people, so their formation is associated with the aging process of the membranes of the eye.

Due to their very slow growth, benign nature and lack of negative effects on vision, pingueculae do not require treatment. But if the patient wishes due to a cosmetic defect, the formation can be removed using laser eye surgery.

Thus, icterus in the eyes is a very serious signal that something has gone wrong in the body. And the sooner the cause of jaundice is found out and treatment is started, the greater the person’s chances for recovery and a quality life.

The reason why a person has yellow whites of the eyes is not always due to impaired liver function. Often, a yellowish tint of the sclera is associated with serious ophthalmological diseases, as a result of which many eye structures are damaged. With this pathology, the patient’s eyes often become watery, red, and visual function is impaired. Do not delay your visit to the doctor, who will help determine what causes the yellow tint of the pupil and white of the pupil, and also select the necessary medication measures.

In newborns, the eyes often turn yellow due to physiological jaundice. Such manifestations should not cause concern to parents if they are not accompanied by any other symptoms. This condition is associated with a large accumulation of red blood cells.

Reasons causing the violation

Liver abnormalities

Often, in a person, yellow eyes in the corners or throughout the sclera area are caused by increased bilirubin. Other liver diseases can also affect yellowish or brown pupils. Normally, in a healthy body, bilirubin is excreted, as a result of which its breakdown and poisoning by toxic substances do not occur. If for some reason the liver’s function is disrupted, then the person not only experiences yellowing of the sclera of the eyes, but also a gradual change in complexion. The following deviations can influence the development of the problem:

If the whites of the eyes, which were previously white, gradually turn yellow, this may indicate diseases of the visual organs. There are such pathologies that affect yellowing of the eyes:

• Pinguecula. This is a pathological formation, reminiscent of fat, associated with improper fat metabolism. Almost never does such yellowness affect vision. The exception is the inflammatory reaction, which is known as pingueculitis. To eliminate the problem, surgical treatment methods are often used.
• Melanoma. Refers to malignant neoplasms, as a result of which the whites of the eyes turn yellow. The pathology is rare, and it is usually difficult to establish a diagnosis in a timely manner.
• Pterygium. With the disease, a pathological growth of the conjunctiva occurs, which soon acquires a white or yellowish outline, creating discomfort when viewing objects.

If you do not consult a specialist in time when pterygium develops, then the pupil becomes yellow and retracted, which threatens a complete loss of visual function.

Other violations

The formation of stones in the pancreas can also affect the shade of the sclera.

If the patient is constantly bothered by yellow spots around the edges of the eyes, then this may indicate serious problems with the body not related to the liver and ophthalmology. The following pathological conditions can affect the yellowness of the sclera:

• Blood disorders. Regularly yellow corners of the eyes with red streaks can signal ailments from the hematopoietic system. Often problems are caused by such deviations:
  • malaria;
  • Babesion, caused by a tick bite;
  • hereditary disorders;
  • poisoning with hemolytic poisons.
• Pancreatic dysfunction. Often the white of the eye, which was previously white, turns yellowish, which is associated with impaired excretion of bile. Common causes of yellow sclera are:
  • formation of stones in the organ;
  • sclerosing cholangitis of the primary type;
  • cancerous tumor in the pancreas.
• Gilbert's syndrome. The deviation is hereditary, as a result of which yellowness may appear in the corner of the eyes or near the pupil. In case of illness, the level of bilirubin is constantly slightly higher than normal. Doctors do not prescribe anything to do or treat for the syndrome, since this is a physiological feature of the human body.
• An unbalanced diet with an excess of fatty, hot and spicy foods.
• Bad habits. People who abuse alcohol, actively smoke and take drugs are more likely to encounter a problem in which the whites turn yellow.
• Eye strain. With increased stress on the visual organs, the color of the sclera may change towards yellowing. Sitting at a computer for a long time, in front of the TV, or reading in a poorly lit room can lead to the problem.

Why are the eyes yellow? In fact, yellowing of the whites of the eyes is a symptom that should never be ignored. After all, it can indicate a variety of diseases, ranging from liver disorders to malignant neoplasms. If you discover a similar problem, you need to seek medical help as soon as possible.

Why are the eyes yellow? Liver diseases

Of course, the most common cause of yellowing of the eye shell is liver dysfunction. The fact is that this organ produces the yellow pigment bilirubin. When liver function is impaired, huge amounts of this substance are released into the blood, causing staining not only of the eyes, but also of the skin. Diseases accompanied by this symptom include all forms of hepatitis and acute liver failure.

Why are the eyes yellow? Oncological diseases

Yellowing can be caused by the appearance and growth of various malignant neoplasms. An example is melanoma, a very dangerous form of cancer that causes yellowing of the cornea. That is why you should immediately consult a doctor if your eyes have acquired an uncharacteristic yellowish tint - delay in such cases can lead to dire consequences.

Why are the eyes yellow? Wen and their causes

Yes, in some cases the cause of the discoloration may be a yellow wen. This is a fairly rare phenomenon that occurs when lipid metabolism in the body is disrupted. In such cases, medical consultation is also necessary. As a rule, to eliminate the disease, a specialist prescribes special medications and an appropriate diet. But sometimes surgical removal of lipid formation is required.

Yellow eyes and conjunctival overgrowth

Sometimes a yellow tint can be the result of a disease called pterygium. It is associated with excessive growth of the mucous membrane of the eyeball. Over time, the conjunctiva overlaps the cornea and becomes yellowish in color. Treatment is through a surgical procedure to remove excess tissue.

Yellow eye whites from nicotine?

There is an opinion that smoking, and therefore the presence of large amounts of nicotine and tar in the body, can cause yellow eyes. In fact, this is a myth. Of course, smoking is a bad habit and has a negative effect on the body, but it has nothing to do with changing eye color.

Is congenital yellowness of the eyes possible?

Yes, the sclera of the eyes of some people from birth has a yellowish tint, which, however, is noticeable only upon careful examination. This phenomenon is permanent and is inherited from parents to children.

The human body is a complex one, since every organ, every vessel bears a huge responsibility. Any disruption to normal functioning leads to irreparable damage. Signs of discord in different systems have different manifestations. It is easy to notice them if you are not careful about your health.

If we talk about the eyes, then the white of the eye is a “mirror” of the state of the body. If their color takes on a yellow tint, it means that the body is suffering from a rather serious disease. As soon as a person detects yellowness in the eyes, one should immediately consult a specialist, as this indicates disturbances associated with a number of pathological processes.

Causes and mechanism of development of scleral icterus

Liver diseases

A normally functioning body is a symbiosis of all organs and systems. The disorder of one organ entails negative consequences for the work of others.

When the body gets sick, the liver suffers all the damage. the body, since it is a filter that neutralizes all negative aspects in the body and also filters the blood.

Organ failure entails a change in the level of bilirubin, that is, it is not excreted in the way in which it causes minimal damage.

Thus, a person's integument becomes yellow to varying degrees.

As liver disease develops, the following may develop:

At the same time, the only and sure sign of the presence of such individuals in the body is a yellow border around the pupil. Microorganisms come from improperly thermally processed fish.

At the same time, it is worth knowing that when epistorchiasis enters the body, they multiply and irritate the intrahepatic ducts. And this is fraught with disruption of bile excretion. Bile, not being excreted, stagnates. Stagnation of bile leads to stagnation of bilirubin, which is reflected in the pigmentation of the sclera.

Blood diseases

If the blood is affected, the sclera may also become yellow. Blood problems are a consequence of excessive destruction of red blood cells, which affects the amount of free bilirubin. In this condition, it becomes impossible for the body to neutralize its amount, thereby it is deposited and reflected in the color palette of tissues and proteins.

Such ailments indicate that blood cells are damaged in the body, their rapid breakdown, and increased production of bilirubin. When affected by sickle cell poison.

This condition is primarily caused by poisons such as benzene, chloroform, nitrates, copper, arsenic, etc. Also poisons of natural origin. These include the venom of snakes, spiders, bees, berries and mushrooms, etc. The condition causes hemolysis of red blood cells in the body, and they in turn develop anemia and lead to yellowness of the integument.

Diseases of the biliary tract

Bile plays a very important and responsible role in the body. It is involved in the process of removing unnecessary substances from the body. Bile enters the intestines through the bile ducts. If for any reason the ducts are damaged, the bile flow through them will be disrupted.

At the same time, if there are problems with the functioning of the bile and bile ducts, ailments such as:

Jaundice

The scientific term for the disease is hepatitis class A. This disease poses a great danger to the human body, regardless of age. The development of the disease is accompanied by changes in the color parameters of the mucous membranes and tissues.

This process, as in other cases, is a reaction to the breakdown of bilirubin. Bilirubin itself is not dangerous, but the enzymatic poison that is formed as a result of its breakdown is fatal to humans. Depending on how quickly bilirubin is removed from the blood, jaundice is also classified.

She may be:

• Hemolic. This option implies a high rate of bilirubin breakdown. At the same time, the production of indirect is hundreds of times greater than the transformation into direct;
• Hepatic. It may develop due to different etymologies, in particular - in the presence of viruses in the body, in case of poisoning with alcohol and toxins, etc.;
• Cholestatic. It develops when the bile ducts are blocked due to the development of a tumor or stones.

Eye diseases that cause yellowing of the whites of the eyes

Yellowness can also develop with pathology in the field of ophthalmology.

Pinguecula

This disease is a consequence of neoplasms on the pinguecula - the conjunctiva of the eyes. The disease itself is not particularly dangerous and does not change the quality of vision. Therefore, patients do not turn to specialists.

As a rule, they often seek medical help when the wen begins to bother them - it hurts, becomes inflamed, causing discomfort in the eye. In such situations, it is impossible to help with medications. The only way out is surgery.

In simple terms, this is a banal wen that grows under the pressure of impaired fat metabolism. Such formations very often have a yellow color. This formation occurs against the background of aging of the body or with frequent irritation of the conjunctiva, when the eyes are unprotected in strong winds, smoke, sunlight, etc.

Melanoma

The development of melanoma indicates the development of a malignant formation, in which the whites of the eyes also have a yellowish color. It is a rather rare disease that is difficult to diagnose and effective therapy is also difficult to develop. The only way out to help maintain health and vision is to consult a specialist if there are any changes in proteins.

Melanoma can vary in location and type:

• lumpy;
• flat;
• yellow;
• brown;
• transparent.

The conjunctiva of the eye tends to grow. This growth is called pterygium. As it grows, the conjecture turns into a kind of rim that “climbs” onto the protein shell.

As a rule, such development creates some discomfort, especially when examining objects.

If pterygium is identified in a timely manner, even at the development stage, it can be effectively and completely eliminated.

When the disease reaches its final stage, due to an increase in the thickness of the film itself, the eye and pupil will tighten. As a consequence, complete tightening entails absolute laziness.

This disease belongs to the category of hereditary pathologies in which there is an increased level of bilirubin concentration.

As a rule, the syndrome cannot be treated, since it refers to physiological characteristics identified in any healthy person.

This pathology occurs at birth, under the guise of newborn jaundice. Over time, bilirubin levels return to normal after birth.

However, the enzyme does not always return to its normal levels due to too much of it. Thus, a syndrome develops in which the membrane of the eye remains yellow.

Diagnostic methods

Self-diagnosis of changes in the color of the sclera is bad manners, especially since it is difficult to identify the source on your own, without carrying out a set of diagnostic measures. Moreover, to diagnose any of the pathologies, it is necessary to contact not only an ophthalmologist, but also a therapist who will help determine the diagnosis and apply effective treatment.

The set of diagnostic measures includes three stages: