The whites of your eyes are called whites for a reason — they’re supposed to be white. However, the color of this part of your eyes, known as the sclera, is an indicator of health.
One common sign of a health problem is yellow eyes. Often this yellowing is referred to as jaundice.
There are many possible causes for yellow eyes. Most are related to problems with the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas, which cause excess amounts of a substance called bilirubin to collect in the blood.
Diagnosing and treating any underlying medical conditions is the first step toward getting rid of your yellow eyes. Yellow eyes aren’t normal, and you should see your doctor if you develop this or any other coloration in your eyes.
People all over the world have their own herbal remedies for treating yellow eyes. Common herbal remedies often include ingredients such as lemons, carrots, or chamomile. Some believe these ingredients boost gallbladder, liver, and pancreas function, which would improve jaundice.
However, scientists haven’t been able to prove these natural remedies can get rid of yellow eyes. So it’s important to see your doctor to determine the underlying cause of your yellow eyes so you receive the correct medical treatment.
When you see your doctor, they’ll perform a physical examination to determine the cause of your yellow eyes.
Jaundice is separated into various categories depending on its cause. The types of jaundice and their treatments include:
Pre-hepatic jaundice
With this type of jaundice, the liver hasn’t yet been damaged. Pre-hepatic jaundice can be caused by an infection, such as malaria.
Medication to treat the underlying condition is sufficient in such cases. If it’s caused by a genetic blood disorder like sickle cell anemia, a blood transfusion may be necessary to replace lost red blood cells.
Another condition, Gilbert’s syndrome, doesn’t cause serious jaundice and doesn’t usually require treatment.
Intra-hepatic jaundice
The liver has sustained some damage with this type of jaundice. It can be caused by other types of infections, such as viral hepatitis. In these cases, antiviral medications can prevent further liver damage and treat jaundice.
If the liver damage has been caused by alcohol use or exposure to toxins, cutting back on or stopping alcohol use and avoiding toxins can prevent further damage. However, in cases of severe liver disease, a liver transplant may be necessary.
Post-hepatic jaundice
These cases of jaundice are caused by a blocked bile duct, and surgery is the necessary treatment. During surgery, doctors may need to remove the gallbladder, a section of the bile duct system, and part of the pancreas.
Newborn jaundice
Sometimes babies are born with jaundice because the systems to remove bilirubin from their bodies aren’t fully developed.
This usually isn’t serious and resolves on its own without treatment after a few weeks.
Yellow eyes indicate that something isn’t right with your body. It may be a mild condition, but it could be something more serious.
There are many people who say that natural remedies have cured their jaundice. However, none of these treatments are scientifically proven to work.
For that reason, it’s always a smart idea to seek treatment from your doctor first, rather than try an herbal remedy.