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Austin S. Nakatsuka
Rating: 4.9 of 5
( out of 1089 reviews )

Austin S. Nakatsuka, MD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

John A. Moran Eye Center

Salt Lake City
801-581-2352

South Jordan ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ 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 ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Hawaii and completed his ophthalmology residency at the ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ 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 ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of California, Los Angeles.

    In addition to his surgical and clinical practices at Moran’s main ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ 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 .

    Specialties

    Patient Rating

    Rating: 4.9 out of 5
    4.9 /5
    ( out of 1089 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. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    August 29, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Nakatsuta was a pleasure to meet with during my appointment. The way he carried himself, with great knowledge of his work, was impressive to me. He seems to understand a lifetime of knowledge for a wise young man. I can tell immediately that he will be one of the best doctors patients can have, for many years to come.

    August 29, 2025
    MORAN EYE CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome surgeon. I feel like he saved my sight. I am very grateful

    August 29, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. NAKATZUKA did a great job on my eyes. He's very knowledgeable and i trust the decisions he's made. I'm glad I found him. He's also very nice.

    August 28, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Nakatsuka was very personable, patiently answered my questions and was knowledgeable about my medical condition.

    August 25, 2025
    MORAN EYE CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr Nakatsuka is extremely knowledgeable and is a rare provider who gave me the sense he was putting my best interest first. Originally I saw him to get a second opinion. He was easily my first choice when it came to having a procedure done. As a physician myself, I recognize good care when I see it, and Dr. Nakatsuka provided great care.

    August 25, 2025
    MORAN EYE CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Excellent caring compassionate physician

    August 25, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    He explained the procedure and did a great job.

    August 23, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    He is fantastic at what he does. Amazing. Hoping to have a beautiful healed eye!

    August 23, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    He's the greatest on my eye care.

    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 ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Hawaii and completed his ophthalmology residency at the ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ 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 ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of California, Los Angeles.

    In addition to his surgical and clinical practices at Moran’s main ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ 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 .

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences -Assistant Professor (Clinical)

    Education history

    Fellowship Ophthalmology, Glaucoma and Anterior Segment - ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Utah, John A. Moran Eye Center Clinical Fellow
    Fellowship Ophthalmology, Cornea and Refractive Surgery - ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Utah, John A. Moran Eye Center Clinical Fellow
    Chief Resident Ophthalmology - ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Texas Medical Branch/Houston Methodist Hospital Chief Resident
    Residency Ophthalmology - ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Texas Medical Branch/Houston Methodist Hospital Resident
    Residency Transitional Year - Hawaii Residency Programs, Inc. Resident
    Professional Medical Medicine - ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine M.D.
    Undergraduate Psychobiology - ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ of California, Los Angeles B.S.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Kelkar N, Eid K, Nakatsuka AS, Johnson C, Mamalis N, Werner L (2024). Severe intraocular lens tilt after the Yamane technique. J Cataract Refract Surg, 51(2), 126-132. ()
    2. Nakatsuka AS (2023). The lens that would not stay put. J Cataract Refract Surg, 50(3), 304-305. ()

    Letter

    1. Nakatsuka AS, Lin A (2020). Ocular management of acute Stevens-Johnson syndrome in a 14-month-old ÈËÆÞÖгöÊÓƵ. [Letter to the editor]. Can J Ophthalmol, 55(6), e213-e214. ()
    2. Nakatsuka AS, Mifflin MD (2020). Response to "Risk Factors for Dry Eye After Refractive Surgery". [Letter to the editor]. Cornea, 39(8), e22. ()