Differential Diagnosis for Yellow-Tinted Vision
The patient's complaint of seeing yellow when looking at glass could be due to various factors. Here's a categorized differential diagnosis:
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Cataracts: A common condition where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy, often causing yellow or brown tinted vision. This is a likely cause, especially if the patient is older.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Jaundice: A condition characterized by high bilirubin levels, which can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes. This could potentially affect the patient's perception of colors.
- Chronic conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva, which can cause changes in vision, including color perception.
- Age-related macular degeneration: A condition that affects the macula, leading to distorted or altered vision, which might include color changes.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Acute angle-closure glaucoma: A medical emergency that can cause sudden vision changes, including color vision alterations. Although less likely, it's crucial to rule out due to its potential severity.
- Brain tumors or metastases: In rare cases, tumors in the brain can affect the visual pathway, leading to altered color perception.
- Rare diagnoses
- Xanthopsia: A rare condition where people see a yellow tint on objects, often associated with digitalis toxicity or other medications.
- Optic neuritis: Inflammation of the optic nerve, which can cause vision changes, including color vision alterations, although this is less common.
- Retinal detachment: A condition where the retina separates from the back of the eye, potentially causing vision changes, including color perception alterations.