Our doctor

Rubens Belfort Neto MD. PhD.

Rubens Belfort Neto MD. PhD.
Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Rubens Belfort Neto, MD, PhD is a Brazilian ophthalmologist based in São Paulo, internationally recognized as a leading specialist in ocular oncology, vitreoretinal diseases, and complex eye care. He serves as Director of the Ocular Oncology Center at Clínica Belfort, a historic family-run ophthalmology clinic with four generations of clinical and academic excellence. 

Dr. Belfort received his medical degree from Santa Casa Medical School in São Paulo and completed his ophthalmology residency at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP / Escola Paulista de Medicina), where he also earned his PhD in ophthalmology. He pursued advanced fellowship training internationally, including ocular oncology and pathology at McGill University in Canada, observational fellowships at Cole Eye Institute (Cleveland Clinic) with Prof. Arun Singh and at MD Anderson Cancer Center with Prof. Dan Gombos, and additional observational experience at Wills Eye Hospital in the United States. 

Dr. Belfort has over 20 years of clinical experience managing eye tumors, retinal diseases, vitreoretinal disorders, cataract surgery, glaucoma, ocular surface disease, and complex diagnostic challenges. He has lectured on ocular oncology and retina in numerous countries across the Americas (Canada, United States, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Uruguay, Argentina), Europe (Spain, Portugal), Asia (China, Australia, India), and continues to be invited as a speaker internationally. 

His academic leadership includes serving as President of the Pan-American Ocular Oncology Society (2016–2018) and as Affiliate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Federal University of São Paulo. Dr. Belfort also contributed to multiple medical books and scientific chapters on topics such as intraocular tumors, retinoblastoma, orbital tumors, ocular pathology, and eye diseases. 

In addition to his clinical and academic roles, Dr. Belfort is the founder of Oncofone, a free telemedicine initiative that supports ophthalmologists around the world in diagnosing and managing ocular cancer cases — expanding access to expertise where specialists are scarce. 

Dr. Belfort speaks fluent Portuguese, English, and Spanish, and maintains close ties with both the Jewish, Danish and Indian communities in São Paulo, reflecting his commitment to broad cultural engagement and inclusive patient care.

Book chapters by Dr Rubens Belfort Neto:

  • Eye exam – Book: Guia de Clínica Médica. Autores: Drs. Antonio Carlos Lopes e Renato Delascio Lopes.
  • Pink eye: differential diagnosis – Book: Guia de Clínica Médica. Autores: Drs. Antonio Carlos Lopes e Renato Delascio Lopes.
  • Ocular changes in systemic diseases – Book: Guia de Clínica Médica. Autores: Drs. Antonio Carlos Lopes e Renato Delascio Lopes.
  • Uveal Melanoma – Book: MANUAL UNIFESP DE CONDUTAS EM OFTALMOLOGIA. Autores: Cecília Moeller.
  • Intra ocular tumours – Book: Oftalmogeriatria. Editores: Dra Marcela Cypel e Dr Rubens Belfort Jr. 2009
  • Retinoblastoma – Book: Oftalmopediatria. Editores: Dra Celia Nakanami e Dr Rubens Belfort Jr.
  • Orbital tumours – Book: Oftalmopediatria. Editores: Dra Celia Nakanami e Dr Rubens Belfort Jr.
  • Retinoblastoma and retinal diseases- Book: Tratado de Pediatria, Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Editores: Fabio Ancona Lopez e Dioclécio Campos Jr. 2009

Titles and awards:

  • PhD from the Federal University of São Paulo
  • Board certification in Ophthalmology – Brazilian Association of Medicine / Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia
  • Member – International Society of Ocular Oncology
  • Member – Biopsy – Burnier Ocular Pathology Society
  • Associate Secretary-Portuguese Language Region, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (2015-2024)

Ocular Oncology

  • Former Director of the Ocular Oncology Service at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), serving from 2010 to 2016.
    Head of the Ocular Oncology Service in the State of Amazonas, Brazil.
    Board-certified ophthalmologist trained at Escola Paulista de Medicina – Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP).

    Dr. Rubens Belfort Neto is an internationally trained ocular oncology and retinal disease specialist, with extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of eye cancers such as ocular melanoma, conjunctival tumors, and intraocular tumors. His clinical practice also includes the management of retinal diseases, retinal detachment, macular disorders, and cataract surgery, offering advanced and personalized care for complex ophthalmic conditions.

    Postgraduate and subspecialty training (Fellowships):

    • Fellowship in Ocular Oncology – Department of Ophthalmology, UNIFESP (Brazil).

    • Fellowship at McGill University (Canada), Department of Ophthalmology – specializing in Ocular Pathology, Ocular Oncology, and Oculoplastic Surgery.

    • Fellowship in Ocular Oncology – Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA.

    • Visiting Fellow in Ocular Oncology – MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas, USA, Department of Ophthalmology.