Abstract:Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO), the most common orbital disease in adults, is characterized by a rising incidence globally. TAO typically presents with clinical features such as proptosis, upper eyelid retraction, ocular motility dysfunction, and diplopia. Additionally, it significantly compromises the integrity of ocular surface structures, leading to symptoms including dryness, foreign body sensation, photophobia and epiphora, which severely impair patients' visual function and quality of life. Recent studies have increasingly highlighted the roles of ocular surface inflammation, immune dysregulation and ocular surface exposure in the pathogenesis of TAO-related ocular surface damage. These factors collectively contribute to pathological changes in ocular surface structures, such as the conjunctiva, cornea, lacrimal gland and meibomian glands. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest research progress on ocular surface structural damage in TAO patients, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation and novel insights for the early diagnosis, disease evaluation and individualized treatment of TAO.
