How to treat a potent yellow eye?

Normally, apart from the part of the cornea which is usually black or brown, the rest of the eye will be white. However, if your eyes suddenly turn yellow, you should be suspicious. This could be a sign of a certain health problem. Then, what makes the eyes turn yellow? How to get rid of yellow eye conditions?

Causes of yellow eyes

Source: NHS UK

The eye that turns yellow is known as jaundice in the medical world. There are many causes of jaundice.

Basically, the cause of the eyes turning yellow is usually related to problems in the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas. Problems in these organs can cause the body to have an excess of a substance called bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow residue from the breakdown of red blood cells.

Now, because of this pile of bilirubin, the color of the eyeballs can turn yellow, just as the skin color changes too. Usually, yellow skin or eyes are considered a symptom of hyperbilirubin or excess bilirubin in the blood.

The following are various diseases and health conditions that can trigger jaundice or yellow eye conditions:

1. Liver disease

A problematic liver can lead to discoloration of the skin and yellow eyes. This is because the liver cannot get rid of excessive bilirubin levels in the blood.

Not only the eyes and skin, yellowishness can also be found in the urine. One type of disease that is closely related to yellowing of the eyes and skin is cirrhosis (hardening of the liver) and hepatitis C.

2. Gilbert's Syndrome

In addition, there is also a genetic disorder that causes the liver to not process bilirubin properly, namely Gilbert's syndrome. However, according to the Better Health Channel website, this disorder is considered harmless and does not need special treatment.

People with Gilbert's syndrome will also experience yellowish eye symptoms. However, his overall liver function is still classified as normal and there are no other serious symptoms.

3. Blood disorders

Some blood disorders also cause symptoms of jaundice or yellow eyes. One of them is sickle cell anemia, which is a genetic blood disorder that causes the body to lack blood to carry oxygen throughout the body.

Another blood disorder that can also cause yellowing of the eyes is hemolytic anemia. This condition occurs when red blood cells are destroyed quickly and the body cannot replace them quickly.

4. Bile duct blockage

Bile is a fluid that is produced by the liver. In bile, there is cholesterol, salt, and bilirubin. This bile will carry all of these substances to be processed into the small intestine through the bile ducts.

However, when the bile duct becomes blocked, bile will build up in the liver. As a result, the bilirubin that is allowed to build up will cause your eyes and skin to turn yellow.

5. Pancreatic disorders

Jaundice or yellowing of the eyes can also be triggered by a problem with the pancreas. One of them is swelling and inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis.

Usually, pancreatitis is caused by gallstones as well as excessive alcohol consumption. However, it is not uncommon for pancreatitis to have no known cause.

How to treat yellow eyes?

The best way to treat yellow eyes is to treat the root cause. Mostly, this condition is caused by an infection such as hepatitis C or malaria. Now, if it does occur due to infection, you need treatment consisting of antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals.

In addition, a lifestyle such as drinking too much alcohol and using illegal drugs can damage the liver, causing symptoms of yellow eyes. If this is the result, all you have to do is stop and overcome the existing addiction.

If the liver damage is severe, your doctor will advise you to undergo a liver transplant procedure.

Yellow eyes can also be found in newborns. Babies who experience this require intensive medical care in the hospital and increase the number of breastfeeding sessions 8-12 times a day. That way the healing process will be faster.

Home treatment for yellow eyes

Apart from medical treatment, you can also do simple ways to whiten yellow eyes again. You can do these methods together with the medication your doctor prescribes.

Here are some easy ways you can do at home to clean yellow eyes and maintain your overall eye health:

• Stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses per day.
• Eat foods high in fiber in whole fruits (not juices), vegetables, nuts, and seeds
• Eat protein sources that are very low in fat, such as fish, tofu, skinless chicken breasts, tempeh, nuts.
• Avoid foods rich in saturated fats and trans fats
• Avoid packaged foods
• Avoid simple carbohydrates found in cakes, candy, cookies
• Avoid drinking alcohol
• Quit smoking or using tobacco products
• Exercise regularly