Do whites of eyes change color with age? A comprehensive guide

Oct 26, 2025 4 min read •

senior care Healthy Aging eye health

The average sclera, or white part of the eye, naturally loses some of its youthful brightness with age due to various environmental and physiological factors. For those concerned with vision and overall health, the question is a vital one: do whites of eyes change color with age? The simple answer is yes, and understanding why is key to healthy aging.

Quick Summary

The white of the eye, known as the sclera, often undergoes natural changes with age, resulting in a less brilliant white appearance. These changes are typically caused by prolonged sun exposure, benign growths, and other biological factors, but can also sometimes signal underlying health issues.

Key Points

Natural Discoloration: Yes, whites of eyes change color with age, often appearing less bright due to lifelong sun exposure, lipid buildup, and vessel changes.
Benign Growths: Yellowish spots (pingueculae) or fleshy growths (pterygia) are common and related to UV exposure, but are generally harmless unless they interfere with vision.
Jaundice is Different: Significant, uniform yellowing of the entire white of the eye is a sign of jaundice and indicates a serious underlying health problem, most often involving the liver.
Protect from the Sun: Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses is one of the most effective ways to prevent age-related discoloration and eye growths.
Don't Ignore Changes: While minor changes are normal, any significant or sudden yellowing or other visual changes warrant a visit to an eye care professional for proper diagnosis.
Regular Eye Exams are Crucial: Routine, dilated eye exams are vital for detecting age-related eye diseases early, even if you don't notice any vision problems yourself.

The Natural Aging Process of the Sclera

The sclera is a tough, protective connective tissue that covers most of the eyeball. In youth, it's a bright white. As we age, however, several factors can cause its appearance to change. One of the most significant is continuous exposure to sunlight over a lifetime. This can cause the elastic fibers in the overlying conjunctiva—the clear, thin membrane—to change and yellow.

Additionally, age-related lipid deposits can accumulate between the scleral collagen fibers, contributing to a yellowish or brownish tint. The conjunctiva also thickens with age and its blood vessels become more prominent, which can result in a more reddish or bloodshot appearance over time. In some cases, the sclera may even thin, which can cause the underlying dark color of the choroid layer to show through, resulting in a slightly bluish or grayish hue. All of these are considered part of the normal aging process and are typically not cause for alarm.

Benign Eye Growths: Pingueculae and Pterygia

Two common, benign growths that can appear on the whites of the eyes are closely linked to aging and environmental factors. Both are caused by long-term exposure to sunlight, wind, and dust, and typically appear in the corners of the eye nearest the nose.

Pinguecula

A pinguecula is a yellowish, raised spot or bump that appears on the conjunctiva. It is a collection of protein, fat, or calcium deposits and does not grow onto the cornea (the clear front dome of the eye). Pingueculae are harmless but can become irritated and swollen, causing redness and discomfort.

Pterygium (Surfer's Eye)

A pterygium is a fleshy, wing-shaped growth that can start as a pinguecula. Unlike a pinguecula, a pterygium can grow large enough to extend onto the cornea. If it grows toward the center, it can obstruct vision. Pterygia are also linked to chronic UV light exposure and are more common in people who spend a lot of time outdoors.

When a Color Change Signals a Health Issue

While many changes to the whites of the eyes are benign, a significant, uniform yellowing can be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition called jaundice. Jaundice occurs when there is an excessive buildup of bilirubin in the blood, a yellow waste product from the breakdown of old red blood cells. The liver is responsible for filtering bilirubin from the blood, so jaundice often points to issues with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.

Common causes of jaundice and yellowing eyes include:

Liver Disease: Conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis, or alcoholic liver disease can impair the liver's function, causing bilirubin to accumulate.
Blocked Bile Ducts: Gallstones or tumors can block the bile ducts, preventing bilirubin from being excreted.
Blood Disorders: Certain conditions, such as hemolytic anemia or sickle cell disease, cause the body to break down red blood cells too quickly, overwhelming the liver's ability to process bilirubin.
Genetic Syndromes: Rarer conditions like Gilbert's syndrome involve a genetic predisposition for higher bilirubin levels.

It is important to note the difference between a minor yellowing related to aging and the uniform yellowing associated with jaundice. If the entire sclera is yellow, medical attention is warranted.

Comparison: Benign Age-Related vs. Serious Health Concerns


Feature	Benign Age-Related Changes	Serious Health Concerns (Jaundice)
Appearance	Mild yellowing, reddening, or bluish tint; often uneven or localized spots like pingueculae.	Uniform yellowing affecting the entire sclera, often accompanied by yellowing skin.
Symptom Onset	Gradual, occurs over many years.	Can be sudden or progressive, depending on the underlying cause.
Accompanying Symptoms	May include dryness, irritation, or gritty sensation; typically not associated with systemic illness.	Often includes fatigue, fever, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, and itchy skin.
Primary Causes	UV light exposure, wind, dust, lipid accumulation, thinning sclera.	Bilirubin buildup due to liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or blood disorders.
Action Required	Regular eye exams and protective measures like sunglasses.	Immediate medical evaluation to diagnose and treat the underlying condition.

Maintaining Eye Health as You Age

Taking proactive steps is the best way to protect your eyes and keep them looking and feeling healthy. These steps help mitigate age-related changes and protect against more serious conditions.

Protective Habits

Wear UV-blocking sunglasses: This is crucial for protecting against sun damage that can cause pingueculae and pterygia. Choose sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
Eat a balanced diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables (especially leafy greens), and omega-3 fatty acids from fish can support overall eye health.
Stay hydrated: Proper hydration helps with tear production, which is essential for combating dry eyes, a common issue in older adults.
Take screen breaks: For those who spend a lot of time on computers, follow the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eye strain: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Quit smoking: Smoking increases the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage, so quitting is a major step toward better eye health.

The Importance of Regular Eye Exams

Comprehensive, dilated eye exams are essential, especially for those over 40. Many age-related eye diseases have no early symptoms, making regular check-ups vital for early detection and treatment. Your eye care professional can also monitor any changes in the appearance of your sclera.

For more information on eye health, consult authoritative resources like the National Eye Institute: https://www.nei.nih.gov/

Conclusion

While it is normal for the whites of your eyes to lose some brilliance and develop minor discolorations with age, it is critical to distinguish these benign changes from signs of potentially serious systemic health problems. Natural yellowing from sun exposure or small bumps like pingueculae are common, but widespread yellowing (jaundice) requires immediate medical attention. By protecting your eyes from UV rays, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and getting regular eye exams, you can help preserve your vision and eye health for years to come. Listen to what your eyes are telling you, and when in doubt, seek professional medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some degree of yellowing is normal with age. It's often a result of lifelong sun exposure and lipid deposits accumulating in the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the white of your eye. This is different from the uniform yellowing caused by a medical condition like jaundice.

A pinguecula is a small, yellowish, benign bump on the white of the eye, typically near the nose, caused by sun and wind exposure. Jaundice is the widespread yellowing of the entire whites of both eyes and the skin, which is a sign of a systemic medical issue, such as liver disease.

Occasionally, yes. As the sclera ages, it can become thinner and more translucent, allowing the underlying dark tissue to show through slightly, which can give the appearance of a bluish or grayish tint. This is typically a benign, age-related change.

You should be concerned if you notice a rapid or uniform yellowing of your eyes, or if it's accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, abdominal pain, or changes in urine color. Any significant change in eye color, especially if it's sudden, warrants a visit to your doctor.

Natural, age-related yellowing is not usually reversible. However, you can prevent further discoloration by wearing UV-blocking sunglasses. If the yellowing is caused by a medical condition like jaundice, treating the underlying issue can often resolve the color change.

While a diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3s, and vitamins C and E is beneficial for overall eye health, supplements are not a proven solution for reversing age-related discoloration. A balanced diet and protecting your eyes from the sun are the best approaches.

Lifelong exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a primary cause of yellowing and benign growths like pingueculae and pterygia. The UV rays cause changes to the elastic fibers in the conjunctiva, contributing to the less brilliant white appearance over time.

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.