Is yellowing of the eyes due to jaundice serious?
Disease description:
My friend has had cirrhosis for over a decade, and now his entire body has turned yellow. Is it serious if the jaundice causes the eyes to turn yellow as well?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Yellowing of the eyes due to jaundice may or may not be serious, depending on the underlying cause of the jaundice and the patient's overall condition. Yellowing of the eyes is a typical symptom of jaundice, indicating abnormally elevated levels of bilirubin in the body. If jaundice is associated with hereditary hemolytic anemia, acquired hemolytic anemia, drug-induced hepatitis, or alcoholic liver disease, and no complications are present, the condition can usually be controlled through treatment targeting the underlying cause, and the yellowing of the eyes may not be severe. However, if jaundice is caused by serious conditions such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, accompanied by liver fibrosis and structural damage to the liver, the condition is more severe. In addition, if jaundice is accompanied by liver function impairment, treatment with hepatoprotective medications may be necessary. When symptoms of yellowing of the eyes occur, prompt medical attention and relevant diagnostic tests should be sought to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
