Mrs. Kathryn M. Hatch, MD

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Get to know Ophthalmologist Dr. Kathryn M. Hatch, who serves patients in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Dr. Hatch is an accomplished ophthalmologist whose clinical interests include 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. She serves as the Director of Refractive Surgery Service & Site Director at Mass. Eye and Ear, Waltham in Massachusetts.

Under her direction, the doctors at Mass. Eye and Ear, Waltham offer ophthalmology subspecialty care, including cataract surgery, on-site laser vision correction, corneal cross-linking, and optometric services, including the fitting of specialty contact lenses for conditions such as dry eye, keratoconus, and post-corneal transplantation.

Since joining the staff, Dr. Hatch 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, and 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, she specializes in keratoconus and post-refractive ectasia and is one of the busiest corneal cross-linking specialists in the US. 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. 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).

Alongside her clinical role, Dr. Hatch serves as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology within the Department of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. Concurrently, she serves as the Director of the Anterior Segment Fellowship & Director of Healthcare Contracting and Payor Policies at Mass. Eye and Ear.

An active Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, she is a member of several professional 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. 

A native Bostonian, Dr. Hatch received her undergraduate education at Middlebury College followed by medical school at Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont. She then went on to complete her residency in ophthalmology at New York University, followed by her fellowship in cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery at Mass. Eye and Ear. 

In 2008, the doctor earned board certification in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology, whose mission is to serve the public by improving the quality of ophthalmic practice through a process of certification and Maintenance of Certification that fosters excellence and encourages continual learning. 

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery, which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Ophthalmologists are experts in the diseases, functions, and anatomy of the eye. They may provide routine care such as vision testing, as well as prescribe and fit eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, ophthalmologists are also surgeons. They repair traumatic injuries to the eye and perform cataract, glaucoma, and corneal surgery.

Throughout the years, Dr. Hatch has been invited to speak at several regional, national, and international meetings. In 2016, Ocular Surgery News named her as one of the 300 Premier Innovators in refractive cataract surgery in the United States.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and runs both recreationally and competitively. A two-time All-American in Cross-Country at Middlebury College, Dr. Hatch is a member of the Boston Athletic Association and lists the completion of 11 marathons among her many running accomplishments.

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