Background: We describe an episode of thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) following sequential bilateral cataract surgery.
Case: We report the case of an 80-year-old woman who developed TAO in 2000.
Observations: After an episode of mild TAO, the patient's condition was stable and quiescent for 4 years. Following cataract surgery on her right eye in 2004, there was rapid worsening of the TAO bilaterally that lasted approximately 12 months. Her condition then stabilized for 2 years. In 2007, she had cataract surgery on the left eye and the TAO again worsened bilaterally.
Conclusion: Cataract surgery may lead to recrudescence of TAO in predisposed individuals.