Abstract

SO.12.08

Increased choroidal thickness in patients with chronic tinnitus using high frequency ultrasound (TIMUG-Eye-Analyzer, TIMUG e.V.)

Erb C.^1,2, Rüfer F.¹, Eichler B.¹, Mengedoht M.^3
1Department of ophthalmology, Medical School of Hanover, ²Department of ophthalmology, Schlosspark-Klinik, Berlin, ³TIMUG e.V.

Objective: To measure the thickness of the choroid in patients with chronic tinnitus.
Methods: Beside the ophthalmological examinations (visual acuity, refraction, intraocular pressure, slit lamp and fundus examination) the measurement of the choroidal thickness was done with the TIMUG-EYE-ANALYZER (TIMUG e.V., Bonn). Statistical analysis was performed with the Mann-Whitney-U-Test.
Results: Twentyfive patients (m:f=12:13, average age+=48±15 years) with chronic tinnitus were included and compared with twentyfive age-related controls (m:f=11:14). Ophthalmological examinations in all subjects were without pathological findings. Statistical analysis showed a significant increased choroidal thickness in patients with chronic tinnitus (median±mean absolute deviation [µm]=150±20 versus 120±15, o=0.033).
Conclusions: The increased choroidal thickness could be a hint for a general disturbed vascular regulation in patients with chronic tinnitus. As acquired colour vision disturbances were described in these patients (Schulze, 2006), these findings are in good accordance with a choroidal perfusion disturbance.

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