Your eyes tell a lot about your health and what your body is dealing with. So when the white portion of your eyes begins to look more yellow in color, your body is probably trying to tell you that something is off. But can lack of sleep cause yellow eyes? Let’s talk about this phenomenon and what you can do to remedy it.
Why Lack of Sleep Causes Yellow Eyes
The sclera, or the normally white part of your eyes, can reveal all kinds of secrets about your health. When something is off balance in your body, the sclera can slowly change in color. You may not even notice it unless you’re paying attention.
Sleep, and the lack of it, is especially common in older adults, women in general, those who smoke, and those who have diabetes. The most important findings from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine have been the connection with how our eyes take in blue light and deliver it to the retina. Blue light is a part of visible light that affects how you sleep. It is what stimulates the release of melatonin in your brain, causing you to feel sleepy.
Older adults seem to transmit blue light at a lower rate because of the yellowing of the eyes caused by cataracts, medications, and other health problems, which then cause a lack of sleep. So, in answer to the question, “can lack of sleep cause yellow eyes?” It seems that yellow eyes are causing a lack of sleep, not the other way around.
Other Reasons for Yellow Eyes
There are a variety of other reasons for your eyes to turn yellow. Some of the most common include:
- Hepatitis
- Gallstones
- Medications
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Liver infection
- Sickle cell anemia
- Malaria
- Cancer (liver, pancreatic, gallbladder)
It’s important to see your doctor or eye specialist if you notice the whites of your eyes changing colors. It could be a sign of something more serious going on.
How to Reduce Naturally Yellow Eyes
The best way to reduce yellow eyes is to treat the underlying cause. If untreated, depending on the cause, organ damage and even brain damage can be the result. You don’t want to mess around with trying to fix this one on your own.
An Eye Specialist You Can Trust
You will most likely encounter many reasons to see an eye specialist throughout your life. Of course, you want a team you trust to take care of you and your family’s needs. The eye experts at Vision Boutique work hard every day to bring their patients quality eye care with the most up-to-date skills and education.
You can count on our team to help you answer questions like “can lack of sleep cause yellow eyes?” as well as help you obtain the best vision in the best way for you and your lifestyle. Schedule an eye exam and learn more about our services.
