Known and appreciated by patients around the world, the Barraquer Ophthalmology Center continues to lead frontline advances in this field of medicine. It recently became the second center in the world to implant a bionic eye in a patient who was deaf and blind from birth, with which he regained his vision. About this and others, at ConSalud.es, we talk to one of the professionals in charge of the center, Elena Barraquer.

More than 100,000 consultations per year, 9,000 surgeries … How does a professional like you feel to be part of one of the most renowned eye clinics nationally and internationally?

I have always been more or less a part of Barraquer, I grew up in this building and although I lived outside Barcelona, in the United States and in Italy for almost 25 years, this has always been and always will be my House. As a professional, I am proud to continue the tradition initiated by my great-grandfather José Antonio, following, as my father always says, the path of improvement. There must always be room for improvement!

In medicine, technology is of great help in the diagnosis of certain pathologies
As the representative of this success is Dr. Joaquín Barraquer, I assume an example and a model for you.

My father, Joaquín, instilled in my brother Rafael and myself his good professional and scientific work. Emphasize the “close” way of treating the patient as we would like to be treated if we were in their shoes. This is our motto.

You recently submitted your biography, what would you like to highlight from this book.

It faithfully relates my father’s way of life, his vocation and his service to the patient. In the fifty years that he has run the clinic, he has never given a truce or granted to those who are part of his project.

The Barraquer Clinic is dedicated to the investigation, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control of eye diseases. What advances have you developed recently?

In the field of cataract surgery and intraocular refractive surgery, intraocular lenses that appeared 12-15 years ago have improved their design and performance, reaching, in most cases, the independence of glasses.

“With the bionic eye implant, we are at the forefront of Spanish centers in terms of implementation and development”

Keratoprostheses, used in patients in whom a corneal transplant is no longer viable, have also been improved.

Last but not least the Argus II implant, also known as the beautiful eye, with which we are at the forefront of Spanish centers in terms of implantation and development.

Dra. Elena Barraquer