The most effective way to clear yellow eyes is to treat the underlying cause. Eyes usually start to turn yellow when a compound called bilirubin accumulates in the blood. This can cause jaundice.
Yellowing of the eyes and skin is almost always a symptom of a condition that requires medical treatment. It is important to seek medical advice as soon as a person notices yellow eyes.
Read on to learn more about treatments for yellow eyes, whether home remedies can help, and more.
The best way to get rid of yellow eyes is to treat the underlying cause. Jaundice can cause yellow eyes. It happens as a result of a buildup of bilirubin in the blood, also known as hyperbilirubinemia.
Jaundice can develop for different reasons. This means that the treatments for yellow eyes can differ depending on the cause of jaundice.
Damage to the liver
Damage to the liver can cause jaundice. This can happen due to:
- hepatitis, or liver inflammation
- acetaminophen misuse
- excess alcohol consumption
- acute pancreatitis
- nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
A doctor may recommend antiviral medication if jaundice develops due to hepatitis.
When jaundice is the result of alcohol or drug use, a person may need medical assistance to help with quitting or reducing consumption.
If jaundice is due to NAFLD, a person’s doctor can recommend dietary changes that may help.
Gallstones
Gallstones can cause a blockage in the bile duct, which can cause yellow eyes due to jaundice.
In some cases, gallstones pass through the bile duct
without the need for medical treatment.
However, surgery is necessary in some cases, so it is important to contact a doctor as early as possible.
Surgery for gallstones typically involves a type of keyhole surgery called laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During the procedure, the surgeon will make small cuts in the abdomen to remove the gallstones.
Open cholecystectomy may be more suitable for some people. It involves making a larger incision in the abdomen.
Learn more about the types of surgery for gallstones.
Other conditions
Certain chronic conditions can cause yellow eyes due to jaundice. Examples include:
- autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- G6PD deficiency and other enzyme deficiencies
- Gilbert’s syndrome, which causes slightly higher than usual levels of bilirubin in the blood
- primary biliary cholangitis
- primary sclerosing cholangitis
- bile duct cancer
- pancreatic cancer
- sickle cell disease
- Wilson’s disease
Treating the underlying condition may help to resolve or treat yellow eyes due to jaundice. A person’s doctor can help them create a suitable treatment plan based on their individual circumstances.
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)
ICP, or obstetric cholestasis, is a potentially serious liver condition that can develop during pregnancy. It happens when bile acids build up in the body.
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There is no cure for ICP, but it will usually resolve after the pregnancy. A doctor may recommend medications, such as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), to alleviate itchiness.
Vitamin K supplements may also be beneficial, as ICP can affect the absorption of vitamin K.
It is important to contact a doctor before taking any supplements.
Neonatal jaundice
Yellow eyes in babies can be due to neonatal jaundice. Around 60% of babies born at full term and 80% of babies born prematurely experience jaundice.
Neonatal jaundice may occur as the liver is still developing. In these cases, symptoms usually resolve on their own within around 1 week of life. Breastfeeding or nursing can also cause jaundice to begin with, and no treatments are necessary.
Some causes of neonatal jaundice require medical treatments.
Rhesus disease happens when the fetus and birth parent do not have compatible blood types, causing the birth parent’s body to attack the fetus’s red blood cells. This can cause jaundice in newborns. Treatments can include:
- phototherapy
- intravenous immunoglobulin
- blood transfusion in severe cases
Jaundice can also occur in newborns due to an infection. A doctor may recommend medication to treat the infection.
Learn more about what can cause yellow eyes.
View the slideshow below for photos of yellow eyes.
Yellow eyes are usually associated with jaundice. In newborns, it typically resolves on its own. However, in adults and children, it is usually due to a potentially serious underlying condition that requires medical treatment.
This means that home remedies alone may not help treat the underlying cause of yellow eyes.
However, some lifestyle changes can make it easier for these organs to function, which may reduce symptoms or encourage healing.
According to the nonprofit organization American Liver Foundation, tips that may benefit liver health and reduce the risk of liver disease include:
- consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, cereals, and rice
- staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- maintaining a moderate weight
- getting enough regular physical activity or exercise
- avoiding smoking
- limiting alcohol intake
- avoiding exposure to toxins from aerosols, cleaning products, chemicals, and insecticides
- avoiding sharing personal hygiene items
- contacting a doctor to discuss vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B
Learn more about foods for liver health.
If a person has yellow eyes or suspects jaundice, they should contact a doctor as soon as possible. Most conditions that cause jaundice require medical treatment.
Some underlying conditions that cause jaundice can result in complications such as tissue damage and organ failure. Early diagnosis and treatment are important.
If the yellowing of the eyes is dark, seek emergency medical attention.
Here are some frequently asked questions about yellow eyes.
Can yellow eyes go away?
Yellow eyes may go away if a person treats the underlying cause. They can happen as a result of jaundice. In newborns, they may resolve on their own within about 1 week. In adults and children, it is essential to seek medical advice, as yellow eyes can be due to a serious condition that requires medical treatment.
Why are my eyes a little bit yellow?
A person’s eyes may start to turn yellow due to the buildup of bilirubin. This causes a condition called jaundice, or hyperbilirubinemia. As soon as a person notices yellow eyes, even if they are only a little yellow, it is important to contact a doctor.
Can drinking water clear yellow eyes?
Drinking water alone will not help to clear yellow eyes. Medical treatments are usually necessary to address the cause, which is typically due to jaundice or the buildup of bilirubin. However, drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated can help promote liver function, which may help manage the risk of jaundice in general.
Most causes of yellow eyes require medical treatment. Eyes typically turn yellow due to jaundice, which can happen as a result of liver damage or a blockage. Treatment typically focuses on addressing the underlying cause.
Neonatal jaundice can cause yellow eyes in newborns. This usually does not require treatment, unless it is due to an infection or rhesus disease.
It is important to seek medical advice as soon as a person notices yellow eyes. A doctor can help determine the underlying cause and advise on a suitable treatment plan.