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.