Talking to Dr. Jesús Téllez

17/03/2025

He graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Navarra in 2001, he continued his professional training by obtaining his specialisation in Ophthalmology from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in 2006. He specialised in glaucoma, developing various guidelines and protocols, including Neovascular Glaucoma and Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma. Since 2002, he has been part of the medical team at the Ophthalmology Service of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. In 2023, he joined the medical team at the Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre, focusing on glaucoma treatment.

What led you to study medicine and specialise in Ophthalmology?

It was a decision I made as a child, an idea that became stronger over the years. I never really considered another option, and my godfather was a traditional family doctor, so, almost without realising it, I found myself at medical school. As for choosing Ophthalmology, I was looking for a medical-surgical speciality, and I think I made the right choice.

What is it about glaucoma that attracted you to this field?

To be honest, glaucoma was not an area that interested me at all during my residency. However, towards the end of my training at the Ophthalmology Service of Sant Pau Hospital, a position in the glaucoma department became available. Since I was finishing my residency, I was offered the role, and that was how I entered the world of glaucoma.

What is your daily routine like? What do you enjoy most about your profession?

Nothing extraordinary. My weekdays are divided between work and family life, leaving little time for much else. On weekends, I try to catch up on pending tasks, rest, and recharge, as the week is usually intense. What I enjoy most about my profession is the opportunity to interact with people and help them—that is the most rewarding part. But there are other aspects I also value: the constant emergence of new advances, the challenge of staying up to date, and the ongoing learning process that never stops.

What are the most exciting advancements in glaucoma treatment in recent years?

The field of glaucoma has changed radically over the past 10 to 15 years, mainly in terms of treatment. It was once a predominantly medical speciality, but today it is much more surgical. This shift has been made possible by the introduction of less invasive, more predictable, and safer techniques. Our goal in glaucoma surgery is to make it increasingly similar to cataract surgery, using techniques that “ensure” more reliable outcomes for our patients.

What do you think is the biggest myth or misunderstanding about glaucoma among patients?

Many patients still come to our clinic believing that glaucoma cannot be operated on and that it inevitably leads to blindness. These are two myths that need to be dispelled, and the only way to do that is through education.

What advice would you give to prevent or effectively manage glaucoma for those already diagnosed?

Currently, no country has a population-wide screening programme for early glaucoma detection. The best way to catch it early is through regular ophthalmological check-ups from the age of 40. From there, a specialist will determine an individual’s risk profile and set the frequency of future check-ups. As for managing glaucoma once diagnosed, the key is attending follow-up visits and using specific monitoring tests to determine the rate of disease progression for each patient. Treatment options include medication in the form of eye drops, various types of laser therapy, and surgery.

How does lifestyle affect eye health, and what habits would you recommend for maintaining good vision?

Healthy lifestyle habits become increasingly important as we age. Up until 40, you can be more flexible with diet, exercise, and schedules, but after that, maintaining good habits becomes essential—and even more so as the years go by. Three key pillars of health are diet, exercise, and structured routines. However, if I had to emphasise one key factor for well-being, it would be maintaining a zest for life and having meaningful goals.

Besides your clinical work, are you involved in any research or projects related to ophthalmology? If so, could you tell us more about them?

Clinical work takes up most of my time, but it is important to find the motivation to engage in teaching and research, even though it is not easy given the demands of patient care.

At the moment, we are working on three research projects. The first is an FIS study comparing the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of traditional surgical techniques versus modern minimally invasive surgeries. The second is a clinical trial on the Paul drainage device for glaucoma, and the third is a study analysing changes in the anterior segment of the eye in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma.

With such a demanding job, how do you unwind?

With two teenage daughters, it is easy to disconnect when I get home; their concerns take priority, and any worries I bring home from the clinic quickly fade into the background. They also play basketball, and watching them improve and enjoy the game is incredibly rewarding. But my main way of unwinding is through exercise, whether on the treadmill, elliptical, or bike. I also love watching my football team play on TV (I won’t say which one); when they win, I go into surgery feeling great, and when they lose, I enjoy it even more because of the ‘sympathy’ from my colleagues.