The "white of the eye" is also known as the sclera, which is the tough, white outer layer that covers the eyeball. Other synonyms for this area include the conjunctiva, which is the thin, transparent layer that covers the sclera and lines the inner surface of the eyelids. The term "cornea" is also sometimes used to refer to the white of the eye, although it specifically refers to the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the iris and pupil. Some slang terms for the white of the eye include "eye whites" or "whites." The medical term for yellowing of the white of the eye is "scleral icterus," which can be a sign of liver disease or jaundice.