What does it mean when the eyeball turns yellow?
Disease description:
This morning when I got up and was washing my face and looking in the mirror, I noticed that my eyeballs were slightly yellow. I'm a bit worried, so I'd like to ask: what could cause the eyeballs to turn yellow?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Shuai
There may be several causes for yellowing of the eyes. 1. It could be a physiological phenomenon; for example, with aging, pigmentation in the eyes may occur, leading to yellowing of the eyeballs. 2. Genetic factors may also contribute to yellow eyes—if this trait exists within a family, it may be passed on to offspring. Additionally, consuming excessive amounts of foods rich in carotene, such as carrots and citrus fruits, or long-term use of medications containing yellow pigments, may also cause yellowing of the eyes. 3. Yellowing of the eyes can also be a pathological sign. For instance, liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver tumors may damage liver cells and disrupt bilirubin metabolism, resulting in yellowing of the eyes. Furthermore, conditions such as bile duct obstruction, conjunctivitis, and pinguecula may also lead to yellowing of the eyeballs.
