What does it mean when the eyes turn yellow?

Yellowing of the eyes may be caused by the following reasons: 1. Improper diet: Consuming excessive amounts of foods rich in carotene, such as carrots, oranges, or pumpkins, may lead to yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera (the white part of the eye). This condition is usually harmless and resolves after dietary adjustments. 2. Liver or biliary diseases: Conditions such as jaundice-type hepatitis or bile duct obstruction can impair liver function, leading to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. This results in yellow discoloration of the sclera, skin, and mucous membranes. 3. Pinguecula: This is an eye condition characterized by a slightly raised, pale yellow patch near the junction of the white and black parts of the eye. It may develop due to prolonged outdoor exposure and chronic contact of the eye surface with air, causing localized thickening of the conjunctiva. 4. Conjunctivitis: Chronic or recurrent conjunctivitis can cause degeneration and leakage of capillaries in the conjunctiva, allowing lipid substances to seep into and deposit within the conjunctival tissue, giving the appearance of yellow eyes.