Abstract: Abstract: Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) also known as Graves’ophthalmopathy is an organ-specific auto-immune disease. TAO is the most common orbital disease in adults. TAO can lead to exophthalmos, upper eyelid retraction and restrictive myopathy, and TAO patients are usually accompanied by diplopia and dry eyes, which is the most important reason for their eye discomfort complains. In recent years, the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye induced by TAO have been paid more attention by ophthalmologist gradually but its pathogenesis is not completely uncovered. Based on the analysis of the related researches on TAO and dry eye at home and abroad in recent years, this paper reviewed potential pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment options that may account for the pathogenesis of dry eye in TAO patients

Key words: Graves ophthalmopathy, xerophthalmia, thyroid hormones, auto-immune diseases, sex hormone, orbital decompression