Rayner Eye Clinic — Since 1915
More Than a
Century of Care.
From a modest clinic on a small-town street to North Mississippi's most comprehensive eye care center — this is the story of how one practice changed vision care for an entire region, one generation at a time.
Where It All Began
In 1915, Dr. Billy Sylvester Guyton opened "The Guyton Clinic" in Oxford, Mississippi. At the time, ophthalmology had not yet emerged as its own specialty — it was practiced alongside ear, nose, and throat care. Dr. Guyton embodied the medicine of his era with skill and integrity.
But Dr. Guyton was far more than a clinician. From 1935 to 1944, he served as dean of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, guiding it through the Great Depression, state political challenges, and the looming threat of losing accreditation. When the four-year medical school opened in Jackson in 1955, he was honored as dean emeritus.
In 1961, the site of the original two-year medical school on the Ole Miss campus was renamed Guyton Hall — a tribute that endures today, where the building now houses the Department of Education.
In 1961, the site of the former two-year medical school was renamed Guyton Hall in recognition of his contributions to medical education. The building remains on the University of Mississippi campus today.
Dr. Billy Sylvester Guyton
Founder · Oxford, Mississippi · 1915
Intraocular lens implantation — years before it became standard
North Mississippi's first dedicated ophthalmic ambulatory surgery center
The first practice in the region to offer fellowship-trained retina consultants
Dr. Rayner's Vision — In His Own Words
In the years following 1975, Dr. Jim Rayner authored patient education materials that captured his philosophy — one that would define Rayner Eye Clinic for decades to come.
Dr. Rayner in the OR
Performing the pioneering IOL procedure · circa 1975
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"To My Patients" — Dr. James W. Rayner, M.D.
Original patient letter emphasizing innovation, compassion & patient priority
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Preserving your eyesight is our highest priority.
— James W. Rayner, M.D. · Rayner Eye Clinic Patient Booklet
Our Journey
The Guyton Clinic Is Born
Dr. Billy Sylvester Guyton establishes 'The Guyton Clinic' in Oxford, Mississippi — combining eye, ear, nose, and throat care in the tradition of the day. A legacy of excellence begins.
Dean of Medicine
Dr. Guyton serves as dean of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, steering the institution through the Great Depression, political upheaval, and an accreditation crisis — without losing a single step.
Guyton Hall
When the four-year medical school opens in Jackson in 1955, Dr. Guyton is honored as dean emeritus. In 1961, the site of the original two-year school is renamed Guyton Hall — a building that still stands on the Ole Miss campus today.
Rogers Eye Clinic
Dr. Joe Rogers joins the practice at 512 Van Buren Avenue, adjacent to Bramlett Hospital, where cataract surgeries are performed. Upon Dr. Guyton's retirement, the clinic is renamed Rogers Eye Clinic.
Dr. Jim Rayner Arrives
Fresh from his fellowship in San Francisco, Dr. Jim Rayner completes the cross-country drive on June 30, 1971 — and begins seeing patients on July 2nd. Two days after finishing his training, a new chapter opens.
North Mississippi's First IOL
Dr. Rayner introduces intraocular lens implantation combined with cataract surgery — a revolutionary technique unavailable anywhere else in the region. Patients travel from across North Mississippi and surrounding states to receive this pioneering care. The practice is renamed Rayner Eye Clinic.
A New Home on Belk Boulevard
Rayner Eye Clinic relocates to a purpose-built facility at 1308 Belk Boulevard, expanding its capacity to meet the growing demand for advanced eye care across the region.
Dr. Randy Richardson Joins
Dr. Randy K. Richardson joins Dr. Rayner, strengthening the practice's ability to serve the growing patient population with comprehensive medical and surgical ophthalmology.
North Mississippi's First Eye Surgery Center
Dr. Rayner establishes North Mississippi's first ophthalmology-dedicated ambulatory surgery center — enabling specialized eye procedures in a purpose-built surgical environment for the very first time in the region.
Dr. Tann & Dr. Farmer Carry the Torch
Dr. Tom Tann and Dr. Doty Farmer acquire the practice, ensuring the continuation of its century-long legacy. Dr. Rayner retires in 2006 after 35 years of pioneering service — a true giant of North Mississippi ophthalmology.
Region's First Retina Subspecialists
Rayner becomes the first practice in North Mississippi to bring in fellowship-trained retina subspecialists in a consulting role — raising the bar for what patients in the region can access close to home.
Dr. Zoghby Elevates the Practice
Dr. Jonathan Zoghby — North Mississippi's only fellowship-trained glaucoma and cataract specialist — joins the practice in 2014. He becomes a partner in 2016, cementing Rayner's transformation into a subspecialized model of care typically found only in major metropolitan centers.
Dr. Emily Graves at Southaven
Dr. Emily Graves, fellowship-trained in refractive cataract surgery and pediatrics, begins consulting at the Southaven office — extending the clinic's subspecialty reach across North Mississippi.
A State-of-the-Art Home
Rayner Eye Clinic moves to its current 19,000-square-foot facility at 2606 South Lamar Boulevard in Oxford — a modern center representing over a century of progress, now equipped to deliver the full spectrum of advanced ophthalmic care under one roof.
Dr. Randy Richardson Retires
After a remarkable 37-year career at Rayner Eye Clinic, Dr. Randy K. Richardson retires — leaving behind a lasting impact on comprehensive eye care in North Mississippi and the countless patients whose lives he touched.
A Region Takes Notice
By the mid-1980s, the story of Dr. Rayner's work had captured the attention of the local press. These original newspaper clippings document a community witnessing something extraordinary.
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"Oxford Surgeon — A 'Miracle' in His Profession"
The Daily Journal reported on Dr. Rayner's remarkable impact — patients traveling from across the South, blind or nearly so, restored to sight. "I couldn't believe it. I just couldn't believe it. I could see everything — not just the trees, but the leaves and the birds," said one grateful patient.
Reported by Julia Nicholls, Oxford Bureau
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"Oxford's Miracle Worker" — Editorial Views & Opinions
Two years later, the Oxford Eagle's editorial page ran a column on the clinic's extraordinary reach — seeing patients from over 30 Mississippi counties and operating on patients from eight southern states, two foreign countries. Dr. Rayner was performing 30–40 surgeries per day to meet demand.
Editorial Views & Opinions · Oxford Eagle
"I couldn't believe it. I just couldn't believe it. I could see everything — not just the trees, but the leaves and the birds."
— Rayner patient, as quoted in the Daily Journal · July 1, 1985
Bringing the Future to North Mississippi
Around 1990, Dr. Rayner made two major moves that cemented the clinic's reputation as the most advanced eye care destination in the region.
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"Machine to Remove Cataracts Offers No Pain to Patient"
The revolutionary "phaco" procedure — small incision cataract removal using ultrasonic waves — arrived in North Mississippi through Rayner Eye Clinic. The $50,000 machine meant patients could drive themselves to surgery and return to work in a day or two. Dr. Rayner had already performed over 20,000 cataract surgeries by this point, making him the most experienced cataract surgeon in the entire region.
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"Rayner Surgery Center — One of a Kind in Northern Mississippi"
When the Rayner Surgery Center opened adjacent to the clinic, it was the only ambulatory eye surgery center in the entire northern half of North Mississippi — and one of only three in the entire state. Patients could be examined, have surgery, recover, and return home within hours. Hospital charges for the same procedures were twice as much.
20 Years of Lens Implantation — A Celebration of Sight
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the first lens implantation by Dr. Jim Rayner at Baptist Memorial Hospital–North Mississippi, Oxford and Rayner Eye Clinic offered a free surgery day for area cataract patients who had no insurance or could not financially afford the procedure.
By this milestone, Dr. Rayner had performed over 25,000 cataract operations — recognized regionally and nationally for the technique, teaching courses throughout the U.S. and producing a training video at the request of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
"Since local doctors, as well as the hospital, have always provided free care and treated people regardless of their ability to pay, this is certainly not a new concept. The doctors and the hospital simply realized a need in this region and chose to co-sponsor this day of free surgery."
— Dr. Jim Rayner, 1995
20th Anniversary · Free Surgery Day
Marking 20 years since the first IOL procedure in the region
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19,000 Square Feet.
One Roof.
Every Specialty.
In 2022, Rayner Eye Clinic moved to its current state-of-the-art facility at 2606 South Lamar Boulevard in Oxford — a 19,000-square-foot center built to match our ambitions for the next century.
Today, the clinic's collaborations with fellowship-trained retina and cornea specialists who see patients at our facility mean that the full spectrum of advanced ophthalmic care is available under one roof. Rayner Eye Clinic stands alone in North Mississippi in this regard.
Our patients have access to subspecialty expertise typically found only in major academic medical centers — all while remaining in their own community. Our legacy of innovation, spanning more than a century, continues to guide our mission.