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Austin S. Nakatsuka
( out of 609 reviews )

Austin S. Nakatsuka, MD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

John A. Moran Eye Center

Salt Lake City
801-581-2352

South Jordan Health Center

Moran Eye Center
South Jordan
801-213-4500
  • 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.

    Get to know Dr. Nakatsuka by watching his profile video.

    Patient Rating

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 609 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety.
    Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    June 29, 2024
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    Dr. Nakatsuka was so gracious, kind, and compassionate. He has a great bedside manner and worked hard to assemble a team to get me the help I needed as I have other health issues that makes any surgery a significant risk. I was turned down for surgery from two other providers because of those risks. In fact I was turned down at Morain Eye Ctr at first. Dr Nakatsuka personally called me, twice, to try and work out a plan to help me. We live in Arizona, and due to my other health issues, it is not easy for me to travel long distances. Nevertheless he told me that if we were willing to make the trip he would do what he could to make it happen without guarantees. It worked! Thank you Dr. Nakatsuka from the bottom of my heart.

    June 29, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Such an amazing eye doctor, and extremely knowledgeable.

    June 29, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Nakatsuka is a Wonderful person, and a great doctor as well. I would recommend him for the special treatment for the eyes. You can look him up online!

    June 27, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Amazingly energetic, knowledgeable, and skilled. He is personable and reassuring.

    June 27, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Nakatsuka is very knowledgeable and concerned about my condition. He is gracious and thorough in my treatment. I have great confidence being in his care.

    June 24, 2024
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    He is am amazing surgeon. Great with patients and always willing to give me the time to answer my questions

    June 21, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Austin S Naktsuka, MD is a life saver

    June 21, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    We discussed and d decided together future care

    June 21, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Great doctor, explains everything, very caring

  • 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.

    Get to know Dr. Nakatsuka by watching his profile video.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences -Primary

    Education history

    Chief Resident Ophthalmology - University of Texas Medical Branch/Houston Methodist Hospital Chief Resident
    Ophthalmology - University of Texas Medical Branch/Houston Methodist Hospital Resident
    Residency Transitional Year - Hawaii Residency Programs, Inc. Resident
    Medicine - University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine M.D.
    Undergraduate Psychobiology - University of California, Los Angeles B.S.

    Selected Publications

    Letter

    1. 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. (Read full article)
    2. Nakatsuka AS, Mifflin MD (2020). Response to "Risk Factors for Dry Eye After Refractive Surgery". [Letter to the editor]. Cornea, 39(8), e22. (Read full article)