Graves ophthalmopathy(GO)is the most common and relatively complicated orbital diseases, and the incidence rate is increasing year by year. Severe GO may present with exposure keratopathy, diplopia and compressive optic neuropathy, which seriously affects influences patients quality of life. At present, orbital decompression is an effective method in the treatment of moderate and severe GO, and with the continuous expansion of indications for orbital decompression, more and more patients with mild and moderate GO with exophthalmos require surgical treatment to improve the appearance. There are many different surgical techniques for orbital decompression, and which one can achieve patients' maximum benefit is a frequently encountered clinical problem for ophthalmologist. With the gradual increase of the amount of surgery, complications become increasingly prominent, which affect postoperative satisfaction of patients. In order to deepen the understanding of complications, avoid or reduce the occurrence of complications, and optimize the operation plan, this paper reviews the relevant literature at home and abroad in recent years, and summarizes the selection of operation methods and operation related complications of orbital decompression in GO patients.