About Kathryn Masselam Hatch, MD
Dr. Hatch is an accomplished surgeon in:
- All-laser refractive surgery techniques (e.g., LASIK and PRK)
- Complex and refractive laser-assisted cataract surgery with intraoperative aberrometry
- Corneal cross-linking and Intacs (intrastromal corneal ring segments) for keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia
- Advanced techniques in corneal transplant surgery
Since joining the staff, she has helped bring new technologies to Mass. Eye and Ear, including
- Refractive laser-assisted cataract surgery with intraoperative aberrometry
- Collagen cross-linking
- Lipiflow for dry eye disease
- Visumax laser—the only laser that can perform SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction), a minimally invasive surgery for nearsightedness.
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 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:
- Cataract
- Cornea and external diseases
- Laser surgery
- Ophthalmology
Treats:
- Adult
Languages:
- Spanish
Locations
Mass Eye and Ear at Lexington
110 Hartwell Avenue
Lexington, MA 02421
Phone: 781-890-1023
Medical Education
- MD, Robert Larner, M.D., College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
- Residency, New York University Medical Center
- Fellowship, Massachusetts Eye and Ear
American Board Certifications
- Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology
Research
Dr. Hatch's main focus of research is in ectatic conditions of the cornea including keratoconus (KCN) and post LASIK ectasia. She was an investigator in a Phase IV clinical trial involving collagen crosslinking (CXL) for 5 years prior to its’ FDA approval in 2016. She was the first doctor to perform CXL at Mass Eye and Ear and is one of the busiest crosslinking specialists in the US. She is currently involved in a study investigating biomarkers for KCN, which could allow for early subclinical detection of the condition.
Dr. Hatch also has expertise in advanced techniques in cataract surgery, including femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery and intraoperative aberrometry, refractive surgery (laser vision correction), and cutting-edge techniques in corneal transplantation. She was the first person in New England to perform intralase enabled deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (IE-DALK) and is doing the most advanced techniques in endothelial keratoplasty, including DMEK (descemets membrane endothelial keratopasty).
Publications
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1. Yong JJ, Hatch KM. Corneal Cross-Linking: An Effective Treatment Option for Pellucid Marginal Degeneration. Semin Ophthalmol. 2019; 34(7-8):512-517.
2. Wang M, Zhang Y, Wu W, Young JA, Hatch KM, Pineda R, Elze T, Wang Y. Predicting Refractive Outcome of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction for Myopia Using Corneal Properties. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2018 Sep; 7(5):11.
3. Song C, Baharozian CJ, Hatch KM, Grassett GC, Talamo JH. Rate of Unplanned Vitrectomies in Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery Compared to Conventional Phacoemulsification. J Refract Surg. 2018 Sep 01; 34(9):610-614.
4. Song C, Baharozian CJ, Hatch KM, Talamo JH. Assessment of surgeon experience with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018; 12:1373-1377.
5. Brenner JE, Fadlallah A, Hatch KM, Choi C, Sayegh RR, Kouyoumjian P, Wu S, Frangieh GT, Melki SA. Accuracy of Visual Estimation of LASIK Flap Thickness. J Refract Surg. 2017 Nov 01; 33(11):765-767.