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What Is the Reason for Eye Jaundice?

Jaundice is a yellowish tint of the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes that occurs when you have abnormally high levels of bilirubin in your blood. Bilirubin is a pigment that is created by red blood cells. People with jaundice almost always have yellow-tinted eyes; this may be the first sign of jaundice.

  1. Physiologic Jaundice

    • Most babies experience some jaundice in their first week. This is known as physiologic jaundice.

    Pathologic Jaundice

    • Pathologic jaundice is jaundice that presents a health risk. This can occur from blood diseases, hepatitis, cirrhosis, bile duct blockage, other liver diseases, or infections.

    Gilbert Syndrome

    • Gilbert syndrome is a hereditary condition in which low levels of enzymes in the liver cause mild jaundice. This condition does not present any health dangers.

    Considerations

    • Treating jaundice early will help prevent kernicterus, which occurs when toxic levels of bilirubin build up in the brain.

    Warning

    • Jaundice should always be medically evaluated.

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