Abstract: Pathogenesis of thyroid associated ophthahnopathy(TAO) is still unclear. Studies showed that orbital fibroblasts were not only the target cells but also the effector  in the autoimmune response of TAO. The orbital fibroblasts, through their autoantibodies expression and oxidative stress reaction,  might play the important role  during the occurrence and development of TAO.   Based on the relative studies, the new potential pathway of clinical pharmacotherapy for TAO may be explored.  (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2013, 37: 419-423)