Yellow eyes

See also: Eye color

Yellow eyes are a sign of liver malfunction. Often, when the white of the eye (called sclera) is tinged with this unwelcome color, the skin also shows the same shades. Doctors therefore speak of jaundice, a very common sign among patients suffering from liver disease.

The yellow color of the eyes and skin is due to the accumulation of bilirubin, a substance resulting from the catabolism of aged red blood cells; under normal conditions, this yellow-orange pigment is processed by the liver, to be then partially eliminated in the urine and partly with faeces When due to liver malfunction, the circulating bilirubin in the blood (bilirubinemia) exceeds 2-2.5 mg per 100 ml, the eyes and skin become yellow.

Causes of yellow eyes

The most frequent cause of jaundice and yellow eyes is also the least serious; it is a hereditary condition, called Gilbert's. Generally, this disease occurs completely asymptomatic and yellow eyes can appear more or less evident due to aggravating factors, such as severe stress, infections, prolonged fasting, taking certain drugs (such as paracetamol) and intense physical exertion. .

Icteric sclera can also be a sign of other liver diseases of varying severity - such as cirrhosis, liver tumors, hepatitis, biliary atresia, fatty liver - or extrahepatic, such as pancreatitis, pancreatic tumors, biliary obstruction, sickle cell anemia (sickle cell disease), thalassemia and yellow fever (tropical disease transmitted through mosquito bites). Therefore, if you notice that your eyes are turning yellow, report this to your doctor as soon as possible, especially if you have any suspicious symptoms (weakness, asthenia, liver and abdominal pain, paleness, rapid weight loss, digestive disorders). A simple blood test will help confirm the origin of the "yellow eyes" symptom.

Overuse of melatonin can also cause yellow eyes.