Cholangitis can cause yellowing of the eyes. This symptom is medically called scleral yellowing. The most common areas of jaundice are yellowing of the skin and yellowing of the sclera, usually due to the return of bile to the bloodstream after a bile duct obstruction. The most common areas of jaundice are yellowing of the skin and sclera. Prolonged jaundice can cause significant damage to liver function and may even lead to cholestatic cirrhosis.