The John A. Moran Eye Center recently welcomed glaucoma and cataract specialist Austin S. Nakatsuka, MD, as a full-time faculty member.
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.
"I was initially interested in specializing in cornea and refractive, but at the beginning of that training, I was also drawn to glaucoma," said Nakatsuka. "I couldn鈥檛 pass up the chance to train with Dr. Crandall and the exceptional faculty at Moran. I eventually felt glaucoma and cataract were areas where I could use my abilities to assist patients the most."
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鈥檚 main University of Utah location and South Jordan clinic, Nakatsuka will dedicate a few weeks a year to working with Moran鈥檚 Global Outreach Division, providing care to underserved communities locally and internationally.
"Work gets me excited to get up in the morning," he said. "I feel so privileged to get paid for doing something I love. I find myself dreaming about cataract surgery on my days off. I know that鈥檚 a little weird, but it鈥檚 such a rewarding job, I don鈥檛 mind admitting that."
Nakatsuka spends most of his time away from work with his wife, 3-year-old son, and 6-month old daughter. He is an avid free-diver and spear fisher and enjoys basketball and tennis.