Lasik/SMILE/Cornea
Flapless Lasik
Toyos Clinic has been the Number 1 Lasik Provider in Tennessee for the last 5 years. Dr. Toyos has been performing Lasik for over 25 years and is the only surgeon in Tennessee voted by his peers as a Top Doc by Castle Connelly and Trusted Lasik and Cataract Surgeons. We invest in the latest technology and can offer the procedure at an affordable price because most of our patients come from previous patient recommendations and word of mouth.
We don't spend money on misleading marketing because that expense would have to be passed down to you. Many Lasik centers are now utilizing bait and switch advertising where they offer Lasik for a few hundred dollars to get the patient to come in for an exam. Then the patient will wind up spending thousands of dollars because no one qualifies for 300 dollar surgery.
Toyos Clinic believes in transparent pricing. Your Custom Lasik procedure could be as low as 1,595 per eye but no more than 2,395 for the flapless Smile procedure. We also offer a 24 hour Lasik Concierge that you can text and call with questions or utilize to book an appointment, 1-800-603-1989. The doctor and counselor will recommend the best procedure for you without the pressure to upsell you on what other centers call "upgrades" like a lifetime guarantee. We have clinics in Southaven, Mississippi, Memphis, Nashville, Franklin, and New York City for your convenience. You can be seen at any of these locations for your pre-operative and post-operative exams and we perform the surgery in our state of the art suites in Memphis, Nashville, and New York City.
Toyos Clinic utilizes the latest technologies to determine if you are a good candidate for Lasik like the Pentacam for cornea measurements. The CellChek Specular Microscope to test the structural stability of the cornea endothelium. We also utilize the Oculus Keratograph, Heidelberg Confocal and other technologies to determine if you have pre-existing Dry Eye.
These technologies are essential in catching any problems before you walk into the Lasik Suite. Some of are best work is when we tell a patient that they are not a good candidate for Lasik and discuss other options. The preoperative scans also gives us valuable information so that we can provide a customized Lasik or Smile procedure programmed for your unique eye.
We have used a variety of technologies over the years - Nidek, Visx, Intralase, Wavelight, Wavelight Refractive Suite, Smile, and more. We believe in all Laser Lasik procedure instead of blades. Blade technology was utilized over a decade ago as part of the Lasik procedure but with the advent of laser technology most surgeons have adopted an all laser refractive suite for safer and improved results.
We are proud of the fact that we have always offered our patients the latest advancements in vision correction. Over the years we have invested in the best going from Visx and Intralase to Wavelight Refractive Suite and now we again have invested in the latest and best with the addition of the Zeiss Refractive Suite. The suite offers the VisuMax flapless laser technology and the only solution for performing small incision lenticule extraction - SMILE. The SMILE procedure is the perfect option for patients who are not good candidates for Lasik or for patients that do not desire a flap. The VisuMax provides the least pressure on the eye so that you can feel more comfortable during the procedure and will not have red eyes after the procedure. We have chosen the Zeiss Excimer Laser for Custom Lasik because its robust eye tracking technology, Zeiss Optics, and Wide Range of FDA approved corrections for Far-Sightedness, Near-Sightedness, and Astigmatism.
Couple advanced technology with Dr. Toyos' experience of performing over 30,000 Lasik procedures and you can rest assured that you will be in good hands at Toyos Clinic. Dr. Toyos is the only surgeon in Tennessee voted Top Doc by TrustedLasikSurgeons.com which choses only the top 1% of surgeons in Lasik and Cataract. He has also been voted Top Doc by his peers in the Castle Connolly Top Doctors featured in Memphis Magazine, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, and various airline magazines. Toyos Clinic offers Lasik in Nashville, Memphis and New York City.
Dr. Toyos spent one year performing Lasik at the prestigious Assil Eye Institute in Beverly Hills. A clinic known for performing Lasik on Lebron James. He is the only surgeon in Tennessee voted as a Top Lasik and Cataract Surgeon by Trusted Lasik Surgeons and Castle Connolly.
INTACS for Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory progressive eye disease that affects the cornea. With keratoconus, the cornea, which is normally spherical, progressively becomes more cone-shaped. The central cornea protrudes forward and corneal thinning can occur, affecting vision. Although Keratoconus is not always a blinding disorder, at times patients become contact lens intolerant or the vision decreases to a point where a corneal transplant becomes the next option.
Intacs are an FDA approved option for patients diagnosed with keratoconus who no longer have satisfactory vision with glasses or contact lenses. INTACS are corneal implants that correct vision and stabilize the cornea of patients with keratoconus and are a possible alternative for those facing corneal transplants. Using state of the art corneal mapping and topography the doctors at Toyos Clinic can determine if this minimally invasive procedure is right for you.
Epi Lasik
A perfect choice for some patients who are not candidates for All Laser Lasik but still desire a Bladeless Laser Vision Correction.
There are many patients who are poor candidates for LASIK because of thin corneas, large pupils, corneal irregularities or dry eye. In the past, LASIK was not an option for these patients. However, thanks to Epi-LASIK, the vast majority of these patients can qualify for the new Epi-LASIK procedure.
Epi-LASIK can eliminate most of the potential complications of LASIK, including glare and halos, by eliminating the need to create a corneal flap. The Epi-LASIK procedure uses a unique technology (EpiLift SystemT) to mechanically separate the epithelium (top layer of the corneal surface). Unlike LASIK, no sharp blades or cutting are required. Combined with Custom Cornea LASIK, where a custom map of the cornea is created for maximum results in laser surgery, Epi-LASIK can provide an opportunity for people who have been turned down in the past.
Toyos Clinic is currently the only clinic in Tennessee with the experience and technology to perform Bladeless Epi-LASIK.
Call our office at 901-683-7255 to find out if you are a candidate for Bladeless LASIK.
DMEK
Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty, or DMEK, is a type of corneal transplant in which only the innermost layers of the cornea are transplanted rather than the full thickness of the cornea. The development of this procedure has greatly reduced the healing time and some complications associated with corneal transplantation. Dr. Toyos has worked with surgeons on the forefront of the development of this technique to offer the best surgical option for our patients.
Allergy
Eye Allergies and Allergic Conjunctivitis
The eyes are one of the most sensitive and vulnerable organs in the body. Airborne allergens and other particles can land directly on the surface of the eye, causing irritation and redness. Although tears constantly wash the eyes, they can't always keep out allergens like pollen or pet dander. Because of this, allergies that flare up in the eyes, also known as ocular allergies, are common.
What Are Ocular Allergies?
Eye allergies are no different than allergies that affect your sinuses, nose or lungs. When an allergen comes in contact with your eyes, your body releases histamine - a chemical produced in reaction to a substance that the immune system can't tolerate. Special cells called mast cells make histamine. These cells are present throughout the body but are highly concentrated in the eyes.
Location of allergy symptoms depends somewhat on where the allergen has come into contact with your body. Ocular allergens tend to be airborne (as are most other allergens). The most frequent allergic triggers include:
Pollen
Pet hair or dander
Dust
Some medicines
There also are some triggers that irritate the eyes but are not true allergies, such as:
Cigarette smoke
Perfume
Diesel Exhaust
What Is Allergic Conjunctivitis?
When conjunctivitis is caused by allergies, both eyes are usually affected Conjunctivitis, also known as "pink eye," is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane lining under the eyelids) and can be caused by allergies or infections. Allergic conjunctivitis and conjunctivitis caused by an infection can be hard to distinguish. Both have similar symptoms, such as redness, itching and swelling in the eye area. However, when conjunctivitis is caused by allergies, both eyes are usually affected. Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis can affect either a single eye or both eyes. It is important to pinpoint whether someone has conjunctivitis because of allergies or infection since each condition has a different treatment.
Common symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are:
Redness and itching under the eyelid
Excessive watering
Swelling of the eyeball
Common symptoms of conjunctivitis associated with infection are:
Feeling that eyelids are glued shut upon waking
Sensitivity to light
Pus on the surface of the eye
Burning sensation
Treatment
If you have ocular allergies or any other kind of allergic disease, the most effective treatment is prevention: try to avoid the allergens that trigger symptoms. For many, this is easier said than done, especially if your triggers are airborne, such as pollen.
When ocular allergies can't be controlled, there are several medications that may help relieve symptoms. Most of these treatments come in a topical form - such as eye drops or an ointment.
Eye drops, also called "tear substitutes," can help in two ways: (1) by physically washing away allergens; and (2) by moistening the eye, which can become dry and red when irritated. Eye drops that contain medications to help reduce allergy symptoms also are available.
Topical Decongestants
Some eye drops contain topical decongestants that constrict small blood vessels and help reduce eye redness.These eye drops are available without a prescription. If you use eye drops with topical decongestants, be careful not to use them for prolonged periods. Overuse of topical decongestants can lead to increased swelling and redness that can last even after you stop using the drops. This is known as a "rebound effect."Consult your physician before taking any medications.
Topical decongestants,or any kind of eye drop containing chemicals that narrow blood vessels (called vasoconstrictors), shouldn't be used if you have glaucoma. Glaucoma is damage to the eye that results from increased pressure in the eyeball (also called intraocular pressure, or IOP). Vasoconstrictors can worsen this condition.
Topical Antihistamines
Eye drops containing antihistamines can reduce redness and swelling in the eye. Antihistamines block the effects of the chemical histamine, which is responsible for allergic symptoms like swelling, redness and itching. Mild antihistamine eye drops are available over the counter, but stronger ones are available by prescription.
Helpful Strategies
Chilling any topical medications can help relieve redness and itching of the eyes. In addition, using cold compresses can help reduce some of the discomfort associated with conjunctivitis. A washcloth soaked in cold water works well.
Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen-based medications, also can help reduce inflammation and symptoms like swelling in some patients.
Steroids
When topically administered medications like antihistamines and vasoconstrictors fail to help alleviate conjunctivitis symptoms, your doctor may prescribe topical steroids. Steroid eye drops can help control chronic and acute cases of conjunctivitis but should only be used as prescribed by your doctor. Steroids applied directly to the eye can cause a sharp increase in ocular pressure that can result in significant eye damage or glaucoma. Prolonged use of topical steroids in the eyes also can lead to cataracts. Cataracts form when the cornea on the surface of the eye gradually becomes opaque, causing blindness.
Because steroids can promote the growth of viruses, your doctor will want to rule out viral conjunctivitis as the cause of your eye problems before prescribing topical steroids.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, also known as "allergy shots," is another option for treating allergic conjunctivitis. Immunotherapy is a process that gradually desensitizes you to your allergens. Tiny amounts of the allergen are injected under the skin over the course of several years. During immunotherapy, your body will begin to develop a normal immune response to the allergen, and you won't experience red, watery eyes every time you are around pets or pollen. Although immunotherapy may take several months to produce results, it can eventually greatly diminish the need for eye drops or other medication.
When To See an Allergist ?
You should consult with an allergist-immunologist if you persistently have red, itchy, watery eyes. Many times, with the help of a doctor, ocular allergies and conjunctivitis can be controlled.