
Languages Spoken: English
Austin S. Nakatsuka, MD, is a glaucoma and cataract specialist. A gifted surgeon and former Moran Eye Center fellow, Nakatsuka completed a one-year fellowship in glaucoma and advanced cataract and iris surgery, training extensively with the late Alan S. Crandall, MD. Before that, he completed a one-year fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Moran.
A Hawaii native, Nakatsuka earned his medical degree at the University of Hawaii and completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch/Houston Methodist Hospital in Galveston, Texas.
He has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and served in a range of community activities, including as a volunteer physician for the Hawaii Salvation Army Drug Rehabilitation Clinic and the Navajo Nation in southern Utah. He rebuilt homes as part of Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in Houston and has served as a peer advisor with the American Indian Student Association at the University of California, Los Angeles.
In addition to his surgical and clinical practices at Moran’s main University of Utah location and South Jordan clinic, Nakatsuka will dedicate a few weeks a year to working with Moran’s Global Outreach Division, providing care to underserved communities locally and internationally.
Clinical Locations
801-581-2352
Moran Eye Center
385-881-9288
Specialties
Board Certification and Academic Information
Academic Departments | Ophthalmology/Visual Sciences
-
Assistant Professor (Clinical) |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.9/ 5

Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.9/ 5

Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.9/ 5

Wait time at clinic
4.2/ 5

Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.9/ 5

Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
May 09, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Nakatsuka is amazing! He is consistently kind, understanding, a great listener, explains everything clearly and thoroughly, he's well informed, highly skilled and considers my history and concerns in his advised treatment plans. He listens well to my concerns. He is a compassionate doctor and I'm fortunate he is on my care team.
UofU Patient
May 04, 2022
SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
Dr was great but not what I needed
UofU Patient
May 03, 2022
SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
Excellent
UofU Patient
May 02, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Nakatsuka is always responsive to any questions I have and has made me feel extra comfortable in his presence.
UofU Patient
May 01, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Actually we spoke about a research project that would cover my condition.
UofU Patient
May 01, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
I was very pleased with the calm and professional manner that Dr. Nakatsuka explained my situation and how he was going to correct it. The entire team was very friendly and helpful. Everyone was more than happy to answer all of my questions.
UofU Patient
April 24, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr Nakatsuka and his staff are extraordinary. Compassionate, intelligent, well informed and generous with information.
UofU Patient
April 24, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr Nakatsuka has consistently given me the best care! He is thorough and knowledgeable, and works with the patient for the best results to tackle the issues at hand. He shows genuine concern and is so kind and friendly. Would most definitely recommend him to friends/family needing care!
UofU Patient
April 23, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Good
UofU Patient
April 23, 2022
SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
Good
UofU Patient
April 19, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Highly recommend
UofU Patient
April 11, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Austin was Wonderful.
UofU Patient
April 08, 2022
SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
Overall the experience was very good.
UofU Patient
April 08, 2022
SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
He seemed rushed.
UofU Patient
April 08, 2022
SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
Dr.Nakatsuka provided me excellent care and advice.
UofU Patient
April 05, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr Austin was extremely impressive -very kind and had a great approach to care and treatment. He took time to lsten to me and ask me questions. He then gave me his insight for treatment. I'd highly recommend him to any patient needing his expertise.
UofU Patient
April 02, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr Nagasuka is fantastic. He really cares about me as a patient and he is extremely talented
UofU Patient
April 01, 2022
SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
I was very happy with Austin. He was very kind and patient. Very informative. He answered all my questions and taught me things that I really needed to know. He was worth waiting for.
UofU Patient
March 28, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Nakatsuka was wonderful. I am so lucky to have had him as my surgeon. He is a great surgeon and a very attentive and warm doctor.
UofU Patient
March 23, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
My experience has been perfect across all areas.
UofU Patient
March 21, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Nakatsuka was not only an amazing surgeon (he did cataract surgery and helped my glaucoma) but he also showed real Interest and listened!
UofU Patient
March 21, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Drs. Nakatsuka and Li were wonderful. Explained everything clearly, listened carefully to my questions and were friendly and kind.
UofU Patient
March 13, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Nakatsuka is unquestionably one of the most caring, competent, knowledgeable, and capable providers I have visited in the 20 years of coming to the Moran.
UofU Patient
March 05, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Nakatsuka has been one of the most compassionate providers we have ever had. We have been going through a trauma with our daughters eye for almost a year with multiple complications. Dr. Nakatsuka has been very easy to get in contact with even giving us his cellphone which he has responded very quickly. Dr. Nakatsuka even met us at his clinic after hours on a weekend and was able to fit her in twice now for emergent surgery. We feel extremely lucky to have him as our doctor and would highly recommend him to anyone.
UofU Patient
March 04, 2022
SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
I've been wearing glasses since the age of 10 and at my current age of 67, I've never experienced the excellent quality of care given to me by Dr. Nakatsuka. He is a gem!
Austin S. Nakatsuka, MD, is a glaucoma and cataract specialist. A gifted surgeon and former Moran Eye Center fellow, Nakatsuka completed a one-year fellowship in glaucoma and advanced cataract and iris surgery, training extensively with the late Alan S. Crandall, MD. Before that, he completed a one-year fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Moran.
A Hawaii native, Nakatsuka earned his medical degree at the University of Hawaii and completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch/Houston Methodist Hospital in Galveston, Texas.
He has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and served in a range of community activities, including as a volunteer physician for the Hawaii Salvation Army Drug Rehabilitation Clinic and the Navajo Nation in southern Utah. He rebuilt homes as part of Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in Houston and has served as a peer advisor with the American Indian Student Association at the University of California, Los Angeles.
In addition to his surgical and clinical practices at Moran’s main University of Utah location and South Jordan clinic, Nakatsuka will dedicate a few weeks a year to working with Moran’s Global Outreach Division, providing care to underserved communities locally and internationally.
Academic Locations
John A. Moran Eye Center
Board Certification and Academic Information
Academic Departments | Ophthalmology/Visual Sciences
-
Assistant Professor (Clinical) |
Education History
Chief Resident | University of Texas Medical Branch/Houston Methodist Hospital Ophthalmology Chief Resident, 2019 |
Residency | University of Texas Medical Branch/Houston Methodist Hospital Ophthalmology Resident, 2018 |
Residency | Hawaii Residency Programs, Inc. Transitional Year Resident, 2016 |
Professional Medical | University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine Medicine M.D., 2015 |
Undergraduate | University of California, Los Angeles Psychobiology B.S., 2010 |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Letter
- Nakatsuka AS, Lin A (2020). Ocular management of acute Stevens-Johnson syndrome in a 14-month-old child. [Letter to the editor]. Can J Ophthalmol, 55(6), e213-e214.
- Nakatsuka AS, Mifflin MD (2020). Response to "Risk Factors for Dry Eye After Refractive Surgery". [Letter to the editor]. Cornea, 39(8), e22.