Ophthalmologist Joaquim Barraquer dies at 89

Barcelona (CNA).- Ophthalmologist Joaquim Barraquer has died aged 89, a spokesman for the Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre in Barcelona confirmed on Friday. Dr Joaquim Barraquer was the director of the renowned eye clinic in the Catalan capital, founded in 1947 by his father, Ignacio Barraquer, a pioneering doctor in the field. The Barraquer’s family has produced generations of ophthalmologists and some of its surgical techniques and instruments are today used around the world. 

Joaquim Barraquer was Professor of Eye Surgery at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and Honorary Professor and Doctor Honoris Causa at several other universities. He was a specialist in corneal transplants and eye surgery to treat cataracts, glaucoma and myopia.

Barraquer was awarded six scientific prizes in Spain and 28 abroad, and was an honorary member of 40 scientific associations and 52 medical groups. He wrote six books, translated in some cases into English, German and even Chinese.