Keith G. Tokuhara, M.D.
Eye Doctor in Rancho Mirage
The Coachella Valley’s Leader in Complex Cataract & Anterior Segment Surgery
Dr. Keith Tokuhara is a board-certified ophthalmologist known for his precision, ethics, and expertise in complex cataract surgery and anterior segment reconstruction. Patients from across the country—and around the world—seek out his advanced techniques to restore their vision when others cannot.
At Desert Vision Center, Dr. Tokuhara offers an elevated standard of care: concierge-level service, meticulous surgical skill, and a fierce commitment to patient-first medicine—free from corporate or private equity influence.
A Tradition of Excellence
Dr. Tokuhara’s academic achievements include being valedictorian, an Advanced Placement National Scholar, and a UC Regents Scholar. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biology with a minor in Philosophy from the University of California, Riverside, and was recognized with multiple prestigious awards for his research and musical performance.
He completed his medical degree at the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine, followed by ophthalmology residency at Loma Linda University, where he trained under world-renowned cataract surgeon Dr. Howard Gimbel. He further advanced his expertise with a Retina Fellowship at Loma Linda, focusing on complex diseases of the eye.
Find Out if You’re a Candidate for Cataract Surgery
Global Perspective, Local Dedication
Dr. Tokuhara has participated in international surgical missions, providing care in the Philippines, Micronesia, and Guam. Locally, he’s been instrumental in advancing surgical techniques in the Coachella Valley, becoming the first surgeon in the area to perform innovative procedures such as KDB Goniotomy, Yamane secondary lens fixation, and PanOptix trifocal lens implantation.
Why Choose Dr. Tokuhara as Your Rancho Mirage Eye Doctor?
Innovator of CLEAR in a Day: Advanced Bilateral Cataract Surgery
Dr. Tokuhara is a regional leader in same-day, bilateral cataract surgery—a modern approach that allows patients to have both eyes treated in a single, expertly coordinated experience. His proprietary CLEAR in a Day process combines advanced technology, precise surgical technique, and streamlined recovery protocols to give patients safer, faster, and more convenient vision restoration.
Unlike practices driven by volume and outdated methods, CLEAR in a Day reflects Desert Vision Center’s core values: innovation, patient-centered care, and ethical excellence.
Academic Excellence & Surgical Expertise
- Valedictorian | UC Regents Scholar | Advanced Placement National Scholar
- Medical Degree: University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine
- Ophthalmology Residency: Loma Linda University (mentored by Dr. Howard Gimbel)
- Retina Fellowship: Loma Linda University
Dr. Tokuhara has presented original research at national conferences, including ASCRS, and has published works on complex cataract surgery techniques. His local innovations include being the first in the Coachella Valley to perform:
- Yamane Technique for scleral-fixated secondary lens implantation
- KDB Goniotomy for glaucoma
- Bilateral PanOptix lens exchange in a single surgical session
A Surgeon Who Fixes Other Surgeons’ Complications
Known for managing complicated and “botched” cataract surgeries, Dr. Tokuhara specializes in anterior segment trauma repair, lens repositioning, iris damage correction, and advanced secondary lens implantation. Many patients come to him for second opinions or corrective procedures after unsatisfactory outcomes elsewhere.
Teaching, Mentorship & Community Impact
Dr. Tokuhara is actively involved in ophthalmology education, having co-founded an ophthalmology residency program and serving as a clinical instructor and board examiner. Locally, he supports the Coachella Valley Visually Impaired Community Services and mentors future eye care professionals.
Independent. Ethical. Focused on You.
Dr. Tokuhara became the owner and medical director of Desert Vision Center in 2016, elevating it into a premier destination for complex cataract surgery and personalized, concierge-style care. From the beginning, he made a deliberate choice to preserve the practice’s independence as a privately owned, physician-led clinic.
In an era of increasing corporate influence in healthcare, Desert Vision Center remains committed to thoughtful, individualized care—where patients are seen by a surgeon whose only priority is their vision and long-term well-being.
Recognized as a Top Doctor by Palm Springs Life from 2019-2024, Dr. Tokuhara embodies Desert Vision Center’s mission:
“Modern Surgery. Honest Care. No Middlemen.“
Outside the Office
Dr. Tokuhara is a dedicated family man, happily married with four children. His approach to medicine reflects his personal values—treating every patient with the same care and respect he would want for his own loved ones