Increased prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in patients with retinal vein occlusion

Emerging evidence suggests that sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus may share similar microvascular and cardiometabolic etiologies, yet the potential association between retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and audiovestibular disorders has not been fully elucidated. This retrospective observational study aimed to investigate whether patients with RVO have an increased prevalence of tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo, and sudden deafness. We used data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2010 of Taiwan. Adults diagnosed with RVO were identified and compared to comparison patients without RVO using a 1:3 propensity score matching approach, aligning them based on sociodemographic characteristics and vascular comorbidities. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo, and sudden deafness between RVO group and comparison group. A total of 6,403 patients with RVO and 19,209 matched compariosn patients were included. Compared with compariosn group, RVO group had significantly higher prevalence of tinnitus (13.90% vs. 11.58%; p<.001) and hearing loss (10.15% vs. 8.39%; p<.001), but not vertigo or sudden deafness. After adjustment, RVO remained associated with increased odds of tinnitus (OR = 1.236; 95% CI 1.136-1.344) and hearing loss (OR = 1.240; 95% CI 1.125-1.366). We concluded that RVO group exhibit a higher prevalence of tinnitus and hearing loss compared with matched comparison group, supporting a possible shared microvascular or systemic vascular pathophysiology. Audiologic assessment may be considered in the comprehensive evaluation of individuals with RVO.