Yellow Vision

Definition

Yellow vision, also known as xanthopsia, is a visual disturbance characterized by the perception of objects or surroundings as having a yellowish tint. This condition can occur as a side effect of certain medications or as a result of underlying medical conditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Yellow vision can be a side effect of certain medications, such as digitalis, sulfonamides, and some antidepressants.
2. The yellowish tint is caused by the accumulation of the drug or its metabolites in the ocular tissues, which alters the perception of color.
3. Yellow vision can also be a symptom of carotenemia, a condition caused by an excess of carotenoids in the blood, which can lead to a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes.
4. Jaundice, a condition characterized by a yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, can also cause yellow vision due to the buildup of bilirubin in the blood.
5. In most cases, yellow vision is a temporary side effect that resolves once the underlying cause is addressed or the medication is discontinued.

Review Questions

• Explain how yellow vision can occur as a side effect of certain medications in the context of 17.6 Unclassified Antidysrhythmics.
  • Yellow vision, or xanthopsia, can be a side effect of some antidysrhythmic medications that are classified as unclassified or miscellaneous. These medications, such as digitalis, can accumulate in the ocular tissues and alter the perception of color, leading to a yellowish tint in the visual field. This is due to the drug or its metabolites interfering with the normal function of the retina and the processing of color information by the brain. Understanding the potential for yellow vision as a side effect is important when prescribing and monitoring patients taking these unclassified antidysrhythmic medications.
• Describe the relationship between carotenemia and yellow vision, and how this condition might be relevant in the context of 17.6 Unclassified Antidysrhythmics.
  • Carotenemia is a condition characterized by an excess of carotenoids in the blood, which can lead to a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes, including the development of yellow vision. While carotenemia is not directly related to the use of unclassified antidysrhythmic medications, it is important to consider this condition as a potential cause of yellow vision, especially in patients who may have underlying metabolic or liver disorders that can affect carotenoid metabolism. In the context of 17.6 Unclassified Antidysrhythmics, recognizing yellow vision as a potential side effect of the medications, as well as differentiating it from yellow vision caused by carotenemia, can help healthcare providers better manage patient care and monitor for any adverse effects.
• Analyze how yellow vision, as a symptom of jaundice, might be relevant in the context of 17.6 Unclassified Antidysrhythmics, and discuss the importance of differentiating the cause of the yellow vision in this scenario.
  • Jaundice, a condition characterized by a yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, can also lead to yellow vision due to the buildup of bilirubin in the blood. In the context of 17.6 Unclassified Antidysrhythmics, it is important to differentiate between yellow vision caused by the medications themselves and yellow vision as a symptom of jaundice, which may be indicative of an underlying liver or bile duct disorder. Accurately identifying the cause of the yellow vision is crucial, as it can inform the appropriate course of treatment and management. If the yellow vision is a side effect of the unclassified antidysrhythmic medication, the healthcare provider may need to adjust the dosage or consider alternative treatment options. However, if the yellow vision is a symptom of jaundice, the underlying condition would need to be addressed, which may involve further diagnostic testing and targeted interventions.

Related terms

Xanthopsia: The medical term for yellow vision, where objects appear to have a yellowish hue.

Carotenemia: A condition caused by an excess of carotenoids in the blood, which can lead to a yellowish discoloration of the skin and yellow vision.

Jaundice: A condition characterized by a yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, often caused by an excess of bilirubin in the blood.