What causes bright yellow tears?
Bright yellow tears are usually caused by fluorescein eye stain. In 2024, TikTok user ⭐️STARGIRL⭐️ posted a viral video of herself crying bright yellow tears after an eye exam. In response to questions about what caused this, popular TikTok physician Dr. Rubin posted a video explaining that the woman likely had a fluorescein eye stain. Fluorescein is a potent orange dye, so if someone cried directly afterward, their tears could appear bright yellow. During this test, an eye doctor touches your eyes with a piece of blotting paper that has the dye on it, then they ask you to blink. This spreads the dye around the surface of your eyes. Next, the doctor shines a blue light onto your eyes. The combination of the dye and the blue light allows your doctor to see any foreign objects or damage to your cornea, which appear green.
Other Causes of Discolored Tears
Slightly yellow-looking tears might actually be abnormal eye discharge. If your tears look slightly yellow but you haven’t had a fluorescein test, it could be a sign of an infection or medical issue. For example, conjunctivitis (pink eye), blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), and styes (infected oil glands on your eyelid) can cause yellow or green-colored discharge. In these cases, the discoloration is likely due to pus. If you notice yellowish tears or discharge in your eyes, make an appointment with your doctor. They’ll be able to figure out the cause and treat any infection you might have.
Eye Health Resources
Looking for more information on eye health? Check out these helpful resources: How to Take Care of Your Eyes How to Improve Your Eyesight How to Tell Which Eye Is the Most Dominant How to Relieve Eye Strain How to Cure Blurry Vision How to Get Rid of a Lazy Eye How Long Does It Take To Adjust to New Glasses? Answers & More
Comments
0 comment