Kathryn L Masselam Hatch, MD

Dr. Hatch is an accomplished surgeon in:

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• All-laser refractive surgery techniques (e.g., LASIK and PRK)
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• Complex and refractive laser-assisted cataract surgery with intraoperative aberrometry
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• Corneal cross-linking and Intacs (intrastromal corneal ring segments) for keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia
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• Advanced techniques in corneal transplant surgery
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Since joining the staff, she has helped bring new technologies to Mass Eye and Ear, including

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• Refractive laser-assisted cataract surgery with intraoperative aberrometry
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• Collagen cross-linking
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• Lipiflow for dry eye disease
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• Visumax laser—the only laser that can perform SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction), a minimally invasive surgery for nearsightedness.
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A key opinion leader in the treatment of keratoconus, Dr. Hatch specializes in keratoconus and post-refractive ectasia and is the one of the busiest corneal cross-linking specialists in the US. Cross-linking is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure, and is the only treatment that can slow or stop the progression of keratoconus and post-refractive ectasia. As an investigator in a phase IV clinical trial, she has been performing the procedure since 2011. In 2016, she became the first person at Mass. Eye and Ear to perform cross-linking with the FDA-approved technology. She is currently embarking on a research project to help develop a screening tool for keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia.

Additionally, Dr. Hatch has experience in the treatment of ocular surface disease and dry eye, corneal dystrophies, and anterior segment reconstruction. She performs cutting-edge corneal transplantation surgery, including both full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty and partial-thickness transplant surgery (DSAEK/Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty, DMEK/Descemets Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty, and DALK/Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratectomy). She also performs IEK (Intralase Enabled Keratoplasty), and she was the first eye surgeon in New England to perform IE-DALK (Intralase Enabled Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty).

Dr. Hatch is an active fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology. She is a member of several organizations, including the New England Ophthalmic Society, the Cornea Society, the American Society of Progressive Enterprising Surgeons, the American European College of Ophthalmic Surgeons, and the Massachusetts Medical Society. She has been invited to speak at several regional, national, and international meetings. In 2016, Ocular Surgery News named Dr. Hatch as one of the 300 Premier Innovators in refractive cataract surgery in the United States.

Dr. Hatch also serves as Director of the Anterior Segment Felllowship and Director of Health Care Contracting and Payor Policies at Mass Eye and Ear.

Clinical Interests

All-laser refractive surgery (including, LASIK, PRK, and SMILE), complex and refractive laser-assisted cataract surgery, corneal cross-linking and Intacs (intrastromal corneal ring segments) for keratoconus