What does it mean when the white part of the eye turns yellow?
Disease description:
Recently, I noticed in the mirror that the white part of my eye has turned yellow, and my eyes often feel dry and fatigued. What could be causing this? I haven't experienced any other obvious discomfort in my body, but this change in my eyes has made me very concerned. Could yellowing of the white part of the eye indicate a serious illness?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Shuai
The yellowing of the white part of the eye, medically known as jaundice, indicates elevated levels of bilirubin in the body. Bilirubin is a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown and is normally processed by the liver and excreted into the intestines via bile. When liver function is impaired, bile ducts are obstructed, or there is excessive destruction of red blood cells, bilirubin cannot be properly metabolized and eliminated, leading to its accumulation in the blood and resulting in yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
Common causes:
1. Pigmentation: The conjunctival tissue may be stimulated by external chemical or physical factors, leading to pigment deposition.
2. Carotene: Excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods, such as carrots and oranges, can also cause yellowing of the whites of the eyes.
3. Impaired bilirubin metabolism: Conditions such as jaundice-related hepatitis, cholecystitis, and gallstones may also lead to yellowing of the whites of the eyes. For example, patients with jaundice-related hepatitis may develop scleral yellowing due to impaired bilirubin metabolism in the liver.
4. Lifestyle factors: Prolonged熬夜 (staying up late), exposure to sunlight, and other similar factors may also cause yellowing of the whites of the eyes.
