Dr. Lauren J. Shatz, M.D.
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist

Lauren J.
Shatz, M.D.

Cataract Surgery  ·  Corneal Disease  ·  Glaucoma

Senior Partner at Eye Physicians of Northampton and President of Cataract and Laser Center West — the second busiest cataract surgery center in Massachusetts. Bascom Palmer–trained. Two decades restoring sight in western Massachusetts and across the globe.

25+
Years of experience
18+
Global surgical missions
2nd
Busiest cataract center in MA
#1
Bascom Palmer trained

A career built on surgical precision and service

Dr. Lauren J. Shatz is a board-certified ophthalmologist with subspecialty training in refractive cataract surgery with premium intraocular lenses and corneal disease. He has served the Pioneer Valley community since 2001, with practices in Florence and Amherst, Massachusetts.

After completing fellowship training at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute — consistently ranked the #1 eye hospital in the United States by U.S. News & World Report — Dr. Shatz joined Eye Physicians of Northampton, where he has served as Senior Partner for over two decades. He simultaneously serves as President of Cataract and Laser Center West, the second busiest cataract surgery center in Massachusetts.

Dr. Shatz pioneered the "Dropless" cataract surgery technique in the Pioneer Valley and has extensive expertise in laser refractive cataract surgery (FLACS), advanced intraocular lens technology including Toric, Multifocal, and Extended Depth of Focus IOLs, advanced corneal transplantation, and glaucoma care.

He has presented original research and surgical techniques at ASCRS, AAO, NEOS, and the Jodhpur Ophthalmological Society — where he has twice been recognized as Guest of Honor.

Training
  • B.A., English Literature — University of Michigan
  • M.D. — Thomas Jefferson University
  • Residency — Boston University Medical Center
  • Fellowship, Cornea & Refractive Surgery — Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Roles & affiliations
  • Senior Partner, Eye Physicians of Northampton
  • President, Cataract and Laser Center West
  • Medical Director, Cataract and Laser Center West (2010–2021)
  • Board Member, SEE International
  • Member, ASCRS
  • Member, AAO
Clinical Focus

Areas of expertise

01

Refractive Cataract Surgery

Subspecialty expertise in premium IOL selection including Toric, Multifocal, and Extended Depth of Focus lenses. Pioneer of Dropless cataract surgery in western Massachusetts.

02

Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

Advanced femtosecond laser expertise for precision capsulorhexis, lens fragmentation, and corneal incisions. Deep experience with FLACS in complex and high-volume settings.

03

Corneal Disease & Surgery

Bascom Palmer–trained in advanced corneal transplantation including management of Fuchs' Dystrophy and complex corneal pathology. Extensive DSAEK and DMEK experience.

04

Small Incision Cataract Surgery

Extensive high-volume experience performing SICS in low-resource international settings across Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean.

05

Glaucoma Care

Comprehensive glaucoma diagnosis and management including medical, laser, and surgical treatment. Extensive international experience providing glaucoma care in underserved populations.

06

Surgical Education

Instructor for SEE International, teaching cataract techniques adapted for low-resource environments. Presenter at international meetings including AAO, ASCRS, and the Jodhpur Ophthalmological Society.

Eliminating preventable blindness, globally

For nearly two decades, Dr. Shatz has traveled annually to provide free cataract and corneal surgery to underserved populations worldwide, in collaboration with SEE International. He serves on the SEE International Board of Directors.

India
Jodhpur, Siliguri — multiple programs
Cambodia
Phnom Penh — Children's Surgical Center
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City — multiple programs
Honduras
Roatan — surgical mission
Jamaica
Montego Bay — Community Vision Center
Nevis, W.I.
Nevis Eyecare Program / Vision for All

Presentations & recognition

Contact

Get in touch

For professional inquiries, speaking engagements, consulting opportunities, or media requests, please reach out directly.