Advanced surgical ophthalmology

Dr. Francisco
Palma Carvajal

Cataract surgery, laser and lens refractive surgery, presbyopia and corneal transplantation

Specialist in advanced eye surgery: cataracts, LASIK and other refractive surgery techniques, intraocular lenses for presbyopia correction and corneal transplantation. His approach combines scientific rigour, surgical precision and cutting-edge technology — with the reassurance of being treated by a specialist working at a leading university hospital.

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+10 Years experience
11 Indexed publications LinkedIn

Personalised care

Every patient is unique. Listening, understanding and accompanying each step allows decisions tailored to their real needs, lifestyle and way of seeing the world.

Technique and technology

Surgical expertise combines with cutting-edge technology to deliver precise, safe treatments aimed at achieving the best possible visual quality.

Scientific and clinical rigour

Every recommendation is based on careful diagnosis, scientific evidence and clinical judgement. The goal is to recommend only what truly adds value for each patient.

Areas of Specialisation

Advanced treatments
for every patient

01

Cataract Surgery

Phacoemulsification with premium intraocular lens implantation selected according to each patient's visual goals and lifestyle. Includes diagnosis and management of the dissatisfied patient after cataract or presbyopia surgery.

  • Toric lenses for astigmatism
  • Trifocal and EDOF lenses
  • IOL lens exchange
  • Dissatisfied post-surgery patient
More information →
02

Presbyopia Surgery

Correction of tired vision using the latest-generation intraocular lenses, adapted to each patient's visual profile and activities. Also includes diagnosis and management of the dissatisfied patient after previous surgery.

  • EDOF lenses (extended depth of focus)
  • Trifocal lenses
  • Monofocal plus lenses
  • Toric lenses for astigmatism
03

Laser and lens refractive surgery

Correction of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism using the most advanced techniques available. For those not suitable for laser, phakic ICL lenses offer a safe and predictable alternative.

  • LASIK with femtosecond laser
  • PRK (surface surgery)
  • ICL phakic lenses
  • Individualised candidacy assessment
More information →
04

Keratoconus

Early diagnosis using high-resolution corneal topography and treatment adapted to each stage of the disease, from stabilisation to transplantation when necessary.

  • Corneal cross-linking (CXL)
  • Intracorneal rings (ICRS)
  • Combined CXL + ICRS treatment
  • DALK in advanced keratoconus
05

Corneal Transplants

Mastery of the most advanced corneal transplant techniques, with personalised selection according to each patient's pathology to optimise visual outcome and minimise rejection risk.

  • DMEK — Fuchs dystrophy, corneal oedema
  • DALK — Keratoconus, scars, dystrophies
  • Penetrating keratoplasty (PK)
More information →
06

Ocular Surface

Diagnosis and treatment of pathologies affecting the ocular surface, from dry eye to conjunctival neoplasias, with medical and surgical approaches.

  • Dry eye — diagnosis and treatment
  • Pterygium surgery
  • Ocular surface neoplasias
  • Corneal dystrophies
Dr. Francisco Palma
Career & Training

Trained at international
reference centres

Dr. Francisco Palma is a specialist in cornea, cataracts and refractive surgery, with clinical training built at the most prestigious centres in Spain and Canada.

After completing his MIR residency at the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, he extended his training with the Master's in Anterior Segment Pathology and Surgery at the Barraquer Institute — one of the most renowned ophthalmological institutes in the world — and with a specific observership in cornea and refractive surgery at the Ottawa Eye Institute and Toronto Western Hospital (Canada), international reference centres in corneal pathology and refractive surgery.

He completed his subspecialty training with a Fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the IMO — Instituto de Microcirugía Ocular de Barcelona, where he gained advanced mastery of the most demanding corneal transplant techniques (DMEK and DALK) and refractive surgery with laser and premium intraocular lenses.

He currently practises at the Cornea, Complex Cataract and Ocular Surface Service at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.

He currently practises at the Cornea, Complex Cataract and Ocular Surface Service at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona — ranked 59th among the world's best hospitals according to Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals 2025, and third best public hospital in Spain according to the Merco Salud 2025 Healthcare Reputation Monitor (MRS) — and at Visiõnclínic (Barnaclínic+). This dual activity, in a top-tier university hospital setting and in a specialised private clinic, allows him to offer patients both the rigour of a leading academic centre and the personalised care and most advanced technology in refractive and corneal surgery.

He is the author of 11 publications in internationally indexed ophthalmology journals — including the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, el European Journal of Ophthalmology y el Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie —, a regular speaker at national and international congresses, including the ESCRS Annual Congress, and a teacher of courses on intraocular lenses, refractive surgery and corneal transplantation organised by the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.

Universidad de Valparaíso
Medical Degree — Physician and Surgeon
University of Valparaíso · Chile · 2013
Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
Ophthalmology Residency (MIR)
Hospital Clínic de Barcelona · June 2015 – June 2019
MIR Nº: 288 · Col·legi de Metges de Barcelona: 51741
Instituto Barraquer de Barcelona
Master's in Anterior Segment Pathology & Surgery
Instituto Barraquer de Barcelona · Oct. 2018 – Jun. 2019
Ottawa Eye Institute
Toronto Western Hospital
Observership in Cornea & Refractive Surgery — Canada
Ottawa Eye Institute · The Ottawa Hospital · Ottawa (Nov. 2018)
Toronto Western Hospital · University Health Network · Toronto (Nov. 2018)
IMO · Instituto de Microcirugía Ocular
Fellowship in Cornea & Refractive Surgery
IMO — Instituto de Microcirugía Ocular · Barcelona
Oct. 2019 – Oct. 2020 · Subspecialisation DMEK, DALK, PRK, LASIK
Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
Ophthalmologist — Cornea, Cataract and Ocular Surface
Hospital Clínic de Barcelona · Sept. 2023 – Present
Visiõnclínic (Barnaclínic+) · Apr. 2025 – Present
International Certification
International Council of Ophthalmology
International Certification — International Council of Ophthalmology
Basic Science (2016) · Theoretical Optics & Refraction (2017)
Clinical Ophthalmology (2019)
Scientific Activity

Research and
teaching

Dr. Francisco Palma is the author of 11 publications in internationally indexed ophthalmology journals — including the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (official journal of the ASCRS and ESCRS), the European Journal of Ophthalmology and the Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie. He trains MIR Ophthalmology residents at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, with special emphasis on cataract surgery and first steps in corneal transplant surgery.

Teaching and courses

Ophthalmology MIR Resident Training — Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (2023–present). Clinical and surgical teaching in cataract surgery, ocular surface and first steps in corneal transplant surgery.
Teaching collaborator — Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona (2024–present).
Course: ABC of Toric IOLs & Astigmatism Management — Bausch & Lomb / CETC · Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (2024, 1st and 2nd edition).
Course: QPP and DALK Corneal Transplant — CETC · Hospital Clínic de Barcelona / Alcon (2026).

Indexed publications

1 Palma-Carvajal F, Alé-Chilet A, Peraza-Nieves J (2019) Traumatic endothelial ring. Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie.
2 Palma-Carvajal F, Figueroa-Vercellino JP, Salazar Á, González H, Giralt J (2019) Multimodal imaging in senile retinoschisis. Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie.
3 Salazar-Villegas Á, Matas J, Palma-Carvajal F et al. (2019) Sebaceous carcinoma of the caruncle. Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie.
4 Palma-Carvajal F et al. (2020) Trends in corneal transplantation in a single center in Barcelona, Spain. Transitioning to DMEK. Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie.
5 Palma-Carvajal F, Salazar-Villegas A, Alé-Chilet A et al. (2020) Sector retinitis pigmentosa. Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie.
6 Palma-Carvajal F et al. (2020) Optic pathway glioma with intraocular extension in a child with neurofibromatosis type-1. Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie.

Indexed publications

7 Palma-Carvajal F, Wróbel-Dudzińska D, Zebdeh A et al. (2020) Near-Infrared Transmitting Occlusive Intraocular Lens Implantation for Intractable Diplopia. European Journal of Ophthalmology.
8 Chang-Sotomayor M, Palma-Carvajal F et al. (2020) Comparison of two methods for obtaining corneal samples in suspected infectious keratitis. Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie.
9 Figueroa-Vercellino JP, Palma-Carvajal F et al. (2020) Multimodal Imaging in Amelanotic Choroidal Melanoma. Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie.
10 Cuesta Chasco G, Palma-Carvajal F et al. (2021) Adult gonococcal conjunctivitis: Prevalence, clinical features and complications. Journal of Medical Microbiology.
11 Wróbel-Dudzińska D, Moura-Coelho N, Palma-Carvajal F et al. (2023) Ten-year outcomes of pseudophakic mini-monovision correction of hyperopic presbyopia. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
Advanced Corneal Surgery

Corneal Transplants

Dr. Francisco Palma completed his cornea subspecialty fellowship at the IMO — Instituto de Microcirugía Ocular de Barcelona, where he received advanced training in all four corneal transplant techniques, with special emphasis on DMEK, the most technically demanding endothelial technique with the best visual outcomes published in the international literature.

He has published on corneal transplant trends in Barcelona — documenting the transition towards selective lamellar techniques — in the Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie and presented this work at the 37th Annual ESCRS Congress in Paris. Mastery of all four modalities allows selection of the most appropriate technique for each patient, minimising rejection risk and maximising visual recovery.

DMEK

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty

Selective transplantation of the endothelial monolayer. First-choice technique for Fuchs dystrophy and endothelial failure. Maximum visual recovery and minimal rejection risk.

DSAEK

Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty

Endothelial transplantation with stromal support. Alternative to DMEK in complex anterior chamber, aphakia or with previous glaucoma implants.

DALK

Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty

Stromal replacement preserving the patient's endothelium. Technique of choice in advanced keratoconus and stromal scars. Referenced publication on late Post-LASIK with DALK.

PK

Penetrating Keratoplasty

Replacement of all corneal layers. Indicated in cases unsuitable for lamellar techniques: deep scars, advanced stromal dystrophies or mixed corneal pathology.

How We Work

Your path to
clear vision

01

Initial Consultation

Comprehensive examination with Scheimpflug topography, corneal tomography, optical biometry and specular microscopy. Thorough evaluation tailored to your case.

02

Personalised Plan

Selection of the most appropriate strategy and lens for your visual goals, professional activity and ocular anatomy. Time dedicated to answering all your questions.

03

Precise Surgery

Procedure at reference centres with cutting-edge equipment. Refined surgical technique, with the highest standards of safety and efficacy.

04

Continuous Follow-up

Rigorous postoperative monitoring to ensure the best progress. Always available for any queries during the recovery process.

Patient Testimonials

What our
patients say

★★★★★

"Dr. Francisco Palma explained all the available lens options for my case with complete clarity. We chose the trifocal and the result has exceeded all my expectations. I've been months without touching my glasses."

M.R., 62 years · Barcelona
Cataract surgery · Trifocal lens
★★★★★

"I was very concerned about tired vision and depending on glasses for everything. Dr. Francisco Palma explained the options calmly and the result has been very natural in my daily life."

C.S., 57 years · Barcelona
Presbyopia surgery · Premium lens
★★★★★

"I wanted LASIK surgery, but needed to feel confident. The assessment was very thorough, I understood every step and the recovery was exactly as explained to me."

A.G., 39 years · Sabadell
LASIK · Refractive surgery

Testimonials reflect individual experiences. Results may vary.

Request your consultation

Take the first step towards better vision. Contact us via WhatsApp to arrange your personalised evaluation with Dr. Francisco Palma.

WhatsApp+34 646 490 981
We will reply by WhatsApp or phone
Clinic
Visiõnclínic – Barnaclínic+
Via Augusta, 281–285 · 2ª Planta
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi · 08017 Barcelona Get directions →