Why Are My Eyes Yellow?

In older children and adults, yellow eyes are always concerning because jaundice is not common in these age groups.

Unlike yellow skin, which may be from eating too many yellow and orange vegetables, yellow eyes are nearly always a sign of jaundice. Yellow eyes and jaundice in older children and adults normally indicate an underlying medical issue.

There are three main reasons for jaundice to occur:

• Liver disease or liver injury: Liver problems cause a type of jaundice known as hepatocellular jaundice.
• Breakdown of red blood cells: When red blood cells are broken down too quickly, there is an increase in bilirubin production.
• A blockage in the bile duct system: When the tubes that carry the bile from the liver to the gallbladder and intestines get blocked, bilirubin can't leave the liver and builds up excessively. This type of jaundice is called obstruction jaundice.