Origins of Eye Treatment: Joaquín Barraquer (1)

Joaquín Barraquer is an Ocular Surgery professor at his family’s eye treatment center that was designed by his father, Ignacio.

Let us treat the patient in the same way in which we would like to be treated” is a phrase Joaquín Barraquer likes to quote his father as saying. He says it was his father’s motto. His father was Ignacio Barraquer who began the Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre in 1941.

Joaquin expresses that this phrase, with a spirit of continued excellence in the realm of science, contributes to the continued pattern of professional behavior that enables the center to provide patients with the best and most tailored treatment as well as the best personal attention.

Ignacio had combined his professional work at the Ophthalmology Service of Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau with his work at the Red Cross Hospital” in Barcelona, as well as with other private professional endeavors.

The center is now a private institution devoted to research, prevention, diagnosis, eye treatment and management of ocular diseases. They offer assistance to patients around the world from Barcelona, Spain.

Construction on this center had begun in 1934 with its original presence of one floor being complete in 1941. It expanded from there in the 1940s and 1950s. The 1950s expansion included a new building and further expansion in the 1970s brought the addition of three more floors.

Now, the Barraquer Clinic has the highest level of technology available and has gained immense international fame thanks to Joaquín Barraquer and his new techniques (applied by himself and his team). Since then, there have been further renovations, as well.

Joaquín Barraquer Moner, born in Barcelona in 1927, is the second son of Ignacio Barraquer. He has followed the highly successful and respected path path of his predecessors. After attending high school he studied medicine at the University of Barcelona (1945-1951), and achieved a doctorate in Madrid in 1955.

His interest and skills were forged early with his father, in his garage, where he performed manual labor or precision in order to acquire the skills necessary to become a surgeon.

Joaquín states that his enthusiasm for ophthalmology blossomed early (age 11) when he would observe the work of his father who spent long hours visiting patients, working in the lab, studying medical records and attending surgeries.

Joaquín Barraquer is:

  • Professor – Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
  • Director – Institut Universitari Barraquer
  • Executive Director – Instituto Barraquer
  • Founding director – Eye Bank for treatment of blindness
  • Surgeon Director – Barraquer Ophthalmology Center
2017-02-03T12:20:03-06:00September 17th, 2012|Eye News|