Could Yellow Eyes Be Serious? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Guide 

Introduction

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered, Why are my eyes yellow? Although a yellowish tint can sometimes be caused by minor eye-surface changes, yellowing of the whites of the eyes can also signal jaundice or another underlying condition that needs medical attention¹. In this article, we discuss what yellow eyes mean, possible causes, diagnosis, treatment options, and when to consult a doctor. 

What Do Yellow Eyes Mean?

Yellow eyes refer to yellowish discolouration of the white part of the eye (the sclera). This is most often due to a build-up of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced when old red blood cells break down. Normally, the liver processes bilirubin so the body can remove it. If this process is disrupted, bilirubin can accumulate in the blood, causing the eyes and skin to turn yellow, a condition known as jaundice. 

It is important to note that not every yellow-looking eye is caused by jaundice. Some people may notice a small yellow patch on the eye surface due to a usually harmless condition called a pinguecula (a small yellowish growth on the eye surface)². In addition, long-term or severe eye allergies can also make the eyes look yellow or discoloured by causing changes on the eye’s surface. Unlike jaundice, this does not cause the white part of the eye to become truly yellow. However, when the white part of the eye appears yellow overall, jaundice is more likely and should be medically evaluated³.

Reasons for Yellow Eyes

Yellow eyes can result from several underlying causes. Common reasons include: 

• Medications and supplements: Taking too much acetaminophen (paracetamol), using anabolic steroids, or using certain herbal or dietary supplements can injure the liver and lead to jaundice, including yellowing of the eyes^5,6.
• Liver Conditions: Conditions that affect the liver, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, etc., can reduce the liver’s ability to process bilirubin, causing yellow eyes^1,5. 
• Blocked bile ducts: Gallstones, narrowing of the bile ducts, or tumours can block bile flow and prevent bilirubin from draining properly, leading to yellow eyes⁵.
• Pancreatic Disorders: Disorders such as pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer can block the bile duct and cause yellow eyes^5,7. 
• Inherited Conditions: Inherited disorders such as Gilbert syndrome, Crigler-Najjar syndrome, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, etc., can interfere with bilirubin metabolism, causing bilirubin to build up in the body, resulting in yellowing of the eyes⁸. 
• Blood Disorders: Certain blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease and thalassaemia, increase the breakdown of red blood cells, causing bilirubin to build up in the body and leading to yellowing of the eyes and skin^1,9.

Symptoms of Yellow Eyes

Symptoms that occur with yellow eyes depend on the underlying cause. They may include: 

• Yellowing of the skin 
• Dark-coloured urine⁵
• Fever, fatigue or weakness, nausea or vomiting, etc. (may be associated with liver or pancreatic conditions)^7,10 
• Swollen abdomen (may result from pancreatitis)⁷ 
• Loss of appetite (may be associated with liver disease)¹⁰
• Abdominal pain, clay-coloured stools, itching, etc. (may be due to bile duct obstruction)¹¹ 
• Numbness, swelling of the hands and feet, extreme tiredness, or cough may occur with blood disorders such as sickle cell disease. Severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, or severe weakness require immediate medical attention¹² 
• Feeding problems, light-coloured stools or excessive sleepiness (in babies)⁴ 

Note: The symptoms of yellow eyes vary depending on the underlying condition. You may experience some, all, or none of the symptoms listed above. Consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis if you notice yellowing of the eyes. 

Diagnosis of Yellow Eyes

Treatment for yellow eyes depends on the underlying cause, so doctors first try to identify what is causing the jaundice or discolouration. Common diagnostic steps include: 

• Physical Examination and Medical History: The doctor will examine the eyes and skin for signs of jaundice and ask about symptoms such as abdominal pain, fatigue, dark urine, pale stools, itching, or fever^5,7,11,12. They may also ask about alcohol use, recent infections, medications, herbal supplements, and any family history of liver or blood disorders^5,6,12.
• Blood Tests: The doctor may recommend blood tests such as a bilirubin test (to measure bilirubin levels)¹³, liver function tests (to check liver enzymes and proteins)¹⁴, and a complete blood count (CBC) to help identify infections, anaemia, or other blood disorders¹⁵. Other specialised tests may be recommended depending on the suspected cause. 
• Imaging Tests: The doctor might recommend imaging tests such as an abdominal scan, ultrasound, CT scan, etc., to help examine the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and surrounding organs^10,11.
• Urine Tests: The doctor may recommend a bilirubin urine test¹¹ to detect increased bilirubin levels and help identify problems with bile processing. 
• Genetic Tests: The doctor might recommend genetic tests for suspected blood disorders, such as sickle cell anaemia¹⁶. A genetic test can be more accurate if blood tests are unclear. A genetic test can also be performed in babies to figure out the cause of prolonged yellow eyes (or jaundice)⁸.
• Liver Biopsy: The doctor might recommend a liver biopsy in severe cases. It is performed by taking a small sample of liver tissue and examining it to assess liver damage or diagnose certain liver diseases¹⁰.

Yellow Eyes Treatment

People often search for how to cure yellow eyes. However, yellow eyes are not treated as a separate condition; treatment focuses on the underlying cause. A doctor may recommend one or more of the following options. 

• Stopping Medications: The doctor may recommend stopping medications or herbal supplements that are causing liver damage to prevent further complications¹⁷.
• Treating Underlying Liver Conditions: Conditions such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or cirrhosis may require medicines (such as antiviral medications for hepatitis), lifestyle changes (proper diet, avoiding alcohol, etc. for cirrhosis and fatty liver), or specific treatments to improve liver function and reduce bilirubin build-up¹⁰.
• Treating Bile Duct Blockage: Conditions such as gallstones or bile duct obstruction may require procedures like endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or surgery to restore normal bile flow¹¹.
• Treatment for Blood Disorders: Conditions that cause excessive breakdown of red blood cells, such as sickle cell disease or thalassaemia, may require treatments such as blood transfusions, medicines, or specialised approaches such as gene therapy⁹.
• Phototherapy: Babies with high bilirubin levels may be treated with special light therapy (phototherapy) to help the body remove excess bilirubin⁴.
• Treating Inherited Conditions: Conditions such as Crigler-Najjar syndrome may require phototherapy, medicines such as phenobarbital, or, in severe cases, a liver transplant. Some genetic conditions, such as Dubin-Johnson syndrome, are usually harmless and may not require treatment, although diagnosis is important to rule out other liver and bile duct disorders⁸.
• Liver Transplant: In severe cases, such as for people with chronic liver failure, the doctor might recommend a liver transplant¹⁰.

Home Remedies for Yellow Eyes

Home remedies cannot treat yellow eyes directly. However, healthy lifestyle habits may support liver health and recovery when used alongside medical care recommended by a doctor. 

• Avoid alcohol consumption and follow a healthy diet¹⁰. Eat enough fruits, vegetables, proteins and healthy fats, and drink enough water to keep the liver healthy¹⁸.
• Do not use sunlight as a substitute for medical phototherapy in newborn jaundice. Some studies have explored sunlight in settings where phototherapy is unavailable, but this should only be considered under medical supervision because newborns are vulnerable to dehydration, overheating, sunburn, and eye injury¹⁹.
• Eat a balanced diet rather than relying on specific foods to cure yellow eyes. Animal studies suggest papaya may have liver-protective effects in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, but there is not enough evidence to recommend it as a treatment for jaundice in humans²⁰.
• Avoid self-medication by taking any over-the-counter medications or herbal products without consulting a doctor, as some can further damage the liver⁶.
• Get proper sleep to keep the liver healthy. Poor sleep can increase the risk of liver disease²¹.

Note: Since yellow eyes are often a sign of an underlying medical condition, they should not be ignored. The steps above may support general liver health, but they cannot diagnose or treat the cause of yellow eyes. Consult a doctor if yellowing appears alone or with other symptoms. 

Also Read: Effective Home Remedies For Red Eyes

When to Consult a Doctor?

Consult a doctor promptly if you notice yellowing of your eyes, especially if it occurs with severe abdominal pain, high fever or chills, persistent vomiting, dark-coloured urine, pale or clay-coloured stools, unexplained weight loss, confusion, excessive sleepiness, difficulty staying awake, or sudden yellowing without a known cause^1,5,7,10,12. Babies should also be checked if jaundice is severe, appears within the first day of life, worsens, or persists longer than expected^4,5.

Also Read: Struggling with Dry Eyes? Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & Prevention 

Conclusion

Yellow eyes usually occur because of an underlying cause. Although a small yellow patch on the eye surface may be harmless, yellowing of the whites of the eyes can indicate jaundice due to liver disease, blood disorders, bile duct obstruction, medicines, or other conditions that require medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment of the cause can help prevent complications. If you notice yellowing in your eyes, especially with other concerning symptoms, seek medical advice promptly. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Jaundice. 2025. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/jaundice.html 

2. What Is a pinguecula and a pterygium (surfer’s eye)? 2026. Available from: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pinguecula-pterygium 

3. Why Are the Whites of My Eyes Discolored? – American Academy of Ophthalmology. Available from: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/discolored-sclera-whites-of-my-eyes-turn-yellow 

4. Jaundice in babies. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/jaundice-in-babies 

5. Recognizing Jaundice. 2022. Available from: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2022/10/recognizing-jaundice 

6. Navarro VJ, Khan I, Björnsson E, Seeff LB, Serrano J, Hoofnagle JH. Liver injury from herbal and dietary supplements. Hepatology. 2017;65(1):363-373. doi:10.1002/hep.28813. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27677775/

7. Symptoms & Causes of Pancreatitis. 2017. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/pancreatitis/symptoms-causes 

8. Memon N, Weinberger BI, Hegyi T, Aleksunes LM. Inherited disorders of bilirubin clearance. Pediatr Res. 2016;79(3):378-386. doi:10.1038/pr.2015.247. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26595536/

9. Taher M, Aminondin S ‘Aisyah, Nasir NA, et al. Sickle cell disease: understanding pathophysiology, clinical features and advances in gene therapy approaches. Front Pharmacol. 2025;16:1630994. doi:10.3389/fphar.2025.1630994. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12411783/

10. Gan C, Yuan Y, Shen H, et al. Liver diseases: epidemiology, causes, trends and predictions. Sig Transduct Target Ther. 2025;10(1):33. doi:10.1038/s41392-024-02072-z. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388722704_Liver_diseases_epidemiology_causes_trends_and_predictions

11. Bile duct obstruction. 2024. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000263.htm 

12. Sickle cell disease: Symptoms. 2024. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sickle-cell-disease/symptoms 

13. Bilirubin Blood Test. 2024. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/bilirubin-blood-test/ 

14. Liver Function Tests. 2023. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/liver-function-tests/ 

15. Complete Blood Count (CBC). 2024. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/complete-blood-count-cbc/ 

16. Sickle cell disease: Diagnosis. 2024.Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sickle-cell-disease/diagnosis 

17. David S, Hamilton JP. Drug-induced Liver Injury. US Gastroenterol Hepatol Rev. 2010;6:73-80. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3160634/

18. 13 Ways to a Healthy Liver. 2021. Available from: https://liverfoundation.org/resource-center/blog/healthy-liver-tips/ 

19. Salih FM. Can sunlight replace phototherapy units in the treatment of neonatal jaundice? An in vitro study. Photoderm Photoimm Photomed. 2001;17(6):272-277. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0781.2001.170605.x. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/409239744_Can_sunlight_replace_phototherapy_units_in_the_treatment_of_neonatal_jaundice_An_in_vitro_study

20. Deenin W, Malakul W, Boonsong T, Phoungpetchara I, Tunsophon S. Papaya improves non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese rats by attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation and lipogenic gene expression. WJH. 2021;13(3):315-327. doi:10.4254/wjh.v13.i3.315. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8006076/

21. Machado MV. The Beauty Sleep to Keep a Healthy Liver. IJMS. 2025;26(23):11322. doi:10.3390/ijms262311322. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/397902952_The_Beauty_Sleep_to_Keep_a_Healthy_Liver

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