Abstract:Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an autoimmune disease and most patients have symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, without unclear specific pathogenesis. Currently, it is generally believed that TAO is associated with Graves'disease and is a cross reaction between anti-thyroid antibodies and ocular autoantigen. TAO mainly damages the extraocular muscle, orbital adipose tissue and intraorbital connective tissue, presenting as orbital glycosaminoglycan aggregation, orbital fibrosis, adipose tissue hyperplasia, orbital tissue remodeling and exophthalmic protrusion. TAO can be caused by many factors, including genetic factors, immune factors and other factors. This review aimed to introduce the immune-related pathogenesis of TAO and its influencing factors.
