Laura Palazzolo, MD

When I was eight, my pediatrician told me I needed glasses, so I saw an ophthalmologist. I told her I was interested in science and medicine, and she took the time to explain how she used equipment to make a diagnosis. She showed me photographs of my retina—the part of the eye that senses light—and I was fascinated by it. From that point on, I wanted to learn more about ophthalmology.

It is an honor to treat eye disease, since vision affects every moment of daily life. I manage a wide range of conditions, including corneal ulcers and corneal dystrophies, in which abnormal material builds up in the cornea. I treat dry eye syndrome and cataracts. I offer corneal collagen cross-linking for people who have progressive keratoconus, which is when the cornea thins and bulges, changing shape. I also perform surgery to remove pterygium, a growth that covers part of the cornea.

I use the latest corneal transplantation techniques. I perform both types of endothelial keratoplasty, procedures that replace only the diseased part of the cornea. They are Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) and Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), a newer technique that uses thinner transplant tissue.

For people who have corneal scarring or keratoconus, I can perform deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, a type of corneal transplant in which I replace most of the cornea with donor tissue. With this procedure, there is a lower risk of graft rejection and less need for steroid medication. If corneal scarring is more extensive, I can perform penetrating keratoplasty, in which I replace the entire damaged cornea with donor tissue.

I offer LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser procedures that change the shape of the cornea and improve vision. For people who are not candidates for laser refractive surgery, I can place an implantable collamer lens (ICL).

I am committed to educating patients about their conditions and helping them make treatment decisions they are comfortable with. When creating a treatment plan, I consider a person’s social and psychological needs, as well as their occupation and hobbies. 

I enjoy getting to know my patients, and I am happy to provide care in the outpatient setting as well as surgically, if necessary. It is extremely fulfilling when I can improve my patients’ quality of life.

I also conduct clinical research. I am studying corneal infection related to contact lens use. My goal is to improve patients’ knowledge of contact lens safety. I am also studying the best methods for teaching ophthalmology residents. I am a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and several ophthalmic societies, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Eye and Contact Lens Association.