Yellow eyes are often associated with jaundice. In fact, the cause is not only that. This condition can be caused by many things and can be a sign of a serious illness that needs to be treated immediately.
Yellow eyes are generally characterized by yellowing of the whites of the eyes or sclera. This condition is generally associated with health problems in the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas. In addition, many other things can also cause yellow eyes.
Various Causes of Yellow Eyes
There are several conditions that can cause yellow eyes, including:
1. Jaundice
Jaundice is caused by a buildup of a substance called bilirubin in the bloodstream. This disease is characterized by symptoms of yellow eyes and yellow skin. Jaundice is common in newborns, but adults can get it too.
Jaundice in newborns is caused by the liver not being able to function properly to process bilirubin. Meanwhile, jaundice in adults can indicate health problems, such as hepatitis and pancreatic cancer.
2. Liver cirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis is a condition where the liver is damaged due to the formation of scar tissue. This condition can affect liver function and cause yellow eyes. Other symptoms that characterize liver cirrhosis are decreased appetite, drastic weight loss, and fatigue.
The following are some of the things that cause liver cirrhosis:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C
- Fatty liver
- Bile duct destruction (primary biliary cirrhosis)
- Hardening and damage to the bile ducts (primary sclerosing cholangitis)
- Parasitic infection
- Genetic disorders, such as Alagille Syndrome
- Wilson's disease
- Heart cancer
3. Gallstones
Symptoms shown by people with gallstones generally vary depending on the size of the gallstones. Yellow eyes are one of the symptoms experienced by people with gallstones. These symptoms are also accompanied by upper right abdominal pain, chest pain, and nausea and vomiting.
4. Pancreatic disorders
The pancreatic duct and bile duct join to drain bile into the small intestine. If the pancreatic duct becomes infected or blocked, bile cannot flow properly. This can cause yellow eyes.
In addition to blocking the flow of bile, pancreatic cancer can also cause yellow eyes.
5. Blood disorders
Yellow eyes can also be caused by abnormalities in red blood cells. Blood disorders in question can be hemolytic anemia, blood incompatibility reactions after blood transfusions, and sickle cell anemia.
In addition to some of the conditions above, yellow eyes are also caused by side effects of drugs, , didanosine (HIV drugs), isotretinoin, and herbal medicines.
Long-term use of drugs and high doses can also increase the risk of yellow eye.
Health problems that cause yellow eyes are conditions that must be treated immediately, especially if accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, or bloody stools. Consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms so that the cause can be identified and appropriate treatment carried out.