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
385-881-9288

  • 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.

    Specialties

    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.

    October 31, 2024
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    Dr. Nakatsuka is friendly and attentive. He always takes the time to answer my questions and it is evident that he genuinely cares about his patients. I was so scared to go to anyone else after Dr. Crandall passed but he immediately put my fears at ease and has been an amazing provider.

    October 31, 2024
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    Dr. Nakatsuka is a wonderful doctor and human being. He was very happy and helpful.

    October 31, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr N is great!! First time I met with him & I would do him again!!

    October 31, 2024
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    Awesome Doctor. Did a great job.

    October 30, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    He is an outstanding Doctor.

    October 30, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Great doctor. Utah is lucky to have you.

    October 29, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    He's friendly, helpful and he explains everything clearly. He's very thorough and very reassuring.

    October 19, 2024
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    He's wonderful and kind.

    October 19, 2024
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Very personable and thorough.

    See More Patient Comments

  • 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)