Categories: Health

Joaquín Barraquer and the Barraquer Clinic in Barcelona

When it comes to eye health, there are few clinics more qualified in diagnosis and treatment than the Barraquer Ophthalmology Center. Not only one of the best eye clinics in the Barcelona, the center is among leading eye clinics worldwide. The Barcelona clinic has achieved international recognition for its roll in medical research and treatment over the course of the last century and the work of four generations of the Barraquer family.

Related article: English-Speaking Doctors in Barcelona

The Barraquer Family

Photo via pixabay

The history of the Barraquer Opthalmology Center goes all the way back to 1903 when Jose Antonio Barraquer Roviralta founded the Ophthalmological Society of Barcelona. His son, Ignacio Barraquer, supported the creation of the Barraquer Clinic in Barcelona, a private organization which was founded in 1941 and built around a dedication to medical research, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of eye diseases. Ignacio Barraquer’s two sons, Joaquín Barraquer and Jose Ignacio Barraquer carried on the third generation. Jose Ignacio went on to found the Barraquer Institute of American in Colombia while Joaquín, together with his two children Elena and Rafael Barraquer who make up the fourth generation, achieved international recognition for the Barraquer Ophthalmology Center through the creation of the Barraquer Foundation.

The Barraquer Ophthalmology Center

Well known and respected in Barcelona, the Barraquer Ophthalmology Center has a medical team which includes 30 experienced ophthalmologists who specialize in many different areas so every patient gets the best possible treatment for his or her needs. The team performs more than 100,000 consultations, 9,000 surgical procedures, and 5,000 laser treatments each year. They can diagnose and treat a wide range of eye problems from astigmatism to lazy eye, cataracts, dry eye, keratitis, eye infections, glaucoma, vision problems, and many more. They even have a 24-hour emergency room for patients who need help immediately.

Related article: Hospitals in Barcelona

The Barraquer Foundation

Photo by noir imp via Visualhunt

In 2003, professor Joaquín Barraquer founded the Barraquer Foundation together with his son and daughter in order to provide eye treatment around the world, even for those living in areas where they would not otherwise have access to it. So far, the foundation has contributed by giving over 38,000 medical consultations, performing over 9,000 cataract surgeries, and donating more than 15,000 pairs of glasses to those who need them. Not only do they work around the world in some of the most economically depressed regions, but also right here in Spain, helping provide vision care to those with limited economic resources in Spain.

Address: Carrer de Muntaner, 314, 08021 Barcelona

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*Main photo by chrismar via Visualhunt

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Rachel G

Originally from the United States, Rachel has been living in Spain since 2014. After two years in Madrid, she moved to Barcelona in 2016 to pursue her passions in writing and photography. She spends her free time enjoying life in beautiful Barcelona and traveling around Europe as much as possible.

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