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Besides being a brilliant ophthalmologist, he is a precise master surgeon, a dedicated educator, and an extraordinary innovator. During his long career he has, in 1953 pioneered publications on intraocular lens implantation to correct aphakia; in 1958, he discovered the lytic action of alphachymotrypsin on the zonule during the era of intracapsular cataract extraction (enzymatic zonulolysis technique), that makes intracapsular cataract extraction considerably easier. In 1962, he founded, with his father Professor Ignacio Barraquer, the first Eye Bank in Europe. In 1964 he developed, with his brother Dr. José I. Barraquer, a special microscope with slit lamp attachment for ocular surgery, which allows the viewing of an optical section of the transparent parts of the eye. In addition, he has also developed multiple instruments and techniques for ocular microsurgery.
Professor Barraquer’s accomplishments and the accolades he has received are listed in his Curriculum Vitae consisting of more than 500 pages. We could highlight the fact that he is the author of 12 books, compilations and monographs and more than 350 scientific articles. Since 1953, he has produced at least 125 surgical films and since 1990 more than 50 instructional videotapes and DVDs.
As editor and publisher, he is responsible for the “Anales del Instituto Barraquer”. He also serves on the Editorial Board of “Highlights of Ophthalmology” and the “American Journal of Ophthalmology” among others. As recognition of his merits and his successful career, Professor Barraquer has received innumerable honorary professorships, more than 30 scientific prizes and distinctions, as well as more than 30 official international decorations and honours.
To strengthen Postgraduate Education, Professor Joaquin Barraquer has since 1993, worked to enhance the “Institut Universitari Barraquer” affiliated to the Autonomous University of Barcelona. To honour this commitment, the “Joaquín Barraquer Chair of Research in Ophthalmology” was created in November 2000.
We want to remark that Professor Barraquer is not only an accomplished ophthalmologist, he is also well known for his personal qualities. He is cordial, dignified and respectful of others. These qualities have forged warm friendships throughout the world. He has been able to transmit his professional enthusiasm and his gentleness with patients to all the people surrounding him in his daily work, thus generating within themselves feelings of security and confidence. As he himself says: “…an ophthalmologist needs specially skilful hands, but I don’t believe that this alone is enough… no matter how many technological advances, and no matter how many instruments we use, they will never be able to substitute the “clinical eye” of a diagnostician…”
Patient care and education at the Barraquer Center of Ophthalmology in Barcelona, Spain are described in the book of the Center, originally published in Spanish, English, French, Italian, German and Catalan.
Address:
Centro de Oftalmología Barraquer
Muntaner, 314 - Laforja 88
08021 Barcelona
Spain
Telephones: (00 34) 932 09 53 11 - (00 34) 934 14 67 98
Fax: (00 34) 932 002 469 - (00 34) 934 141 228 - (00 34) 934 142 319
Website: www.barraquer.com
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