Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia

What Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia does

Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia (CBO), founded on 26 November 1941 in São Paulo, is a non-profit scientific and cultural association of ophthalmologists and the principal representative body for the specialty in Brazil. CBO serves two primary segments: licensed ophthalmologists (professional representation, certification, continuing education, legal defense, supplementary-health and SUS advocacy) and the Brazilian general public (patient education and awareness campaigns). It co-issues, with AMB, the official Specialist Title in Ophthalmology via the Prova Nacional de Oftalmologia (PNO) and is the sole Brazilian entity accredited to administer the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) examinations; CBO also oversees 104 accredited ophthalmology specialization programs and coordinates 27 affiliated state societies plus thematic subspecialty societies.

Its service portfolio is organized around four pillars — (1) education and certification (PNO, ICO exams, Plataforma CBO / EAD online learning, Cursos Credenciados, continuing education), (2) scientific publishing (Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia indexed in PubMed/Web of Science/SciELO since 1938, Jota Zero, Visão em Foco, Série Oftalmologia Brasileira), (3) professional defense (Defesa Profissional legal department, scope-of-practice enforcement via civil public actions against unauthorized optometric practice, supplementary-health and SUS advocacy), and (4) public health campaigns (De Olho nos Olhinhos for pediatric retinoblastoma, 24 Dias pelo Glaucoma). Digital infrastructure includes the VoteCBO online voting platform, the Anuidade CBO dues portal, the Carteirinha de Associado digital member ID, and the eOftalmo peer learning platform.

Revenue mechanics rely on annual membership dues (anuidade), PNO and ICO examination fees, registration and sponsorship from the 69th Congresso Brasileiro de Oftalmologia (held in Curitiba in 2025) and regional summits, course and continuing-education fees, and corporate patron sponsorship from Bausch, Cristália, Essilor, Genom, J&J Vision Pro and Programa Mais OFTA. CBO is governed by an elected biennial board — the 2026-2027 board led by President Maria Auxiliadora Monteiro Frazão assumed office following the September 2025 election in which the 'Conexão' ticket received 95.7% of valid votes, 66.7% cast via VoteCBO. The headquarters are at Rua Casa do Ator, 1117, Vila Olímpia, São Paulo, with 17 administrative collaborators supporting the broader 51-100 staff base.

Name

Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia

Legal name

Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia

Website

https://cbo.net.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia (CBO) is a Brazilian non-profit scientific association, founded in 1941, that represents ophthalmologists through certification (PNO, ICO exams), continuing education, professional defense, and public eye-health campaigns across all 27 Brazilian states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Member dues (Anuidade): Annual membership fees collected from ophthalmologist members. Members in good standing can vote, access member-only services, and receive discounted exam and event registration rates.
2. PNO and ICO certification exam fees: Fees charged for administering the Prova Nacional de Oftalmologia (required for the Specialist Title) and International Council of Ophthalmology examinations.
3. Congress and event revenue: Registration fees and sponsorship revenue from the annual Brazilian Ophthalmology Congress (Congresso CBO) and regional summits such as BH Retina Summit and Retina in Rio.
4. Educational programs and course fees: Fees from credentialled specialization courses, continuing education (Educação Continuada), and leadership development courses (Curso de Lideranças).
5. Corporate sponsorship: Patronage and sponsorship from pharmaceutical companies and optical industry players (Bausch, Cristália, Essilor, Genom, J&J Vision, Programa Mais OFTA) displayed on the CBO website and at events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia (CBO) operates as a non-profit scientific and cultural association that delivers professional representation, standardized specialty certification, and continuing education to Brazilian ophthalmologists. It administers the Prova Nacional de Oftalmologia (PNO) jointly with AMB and the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) examinations as the sole accredited entity in Brazil, oversees 104 accredited specialty training programs, publishes scientific journals including Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia, runs the annual Congresso Brasileiro de Oftalmologia, provides legal defense against illegal practice, and conducts public eye-health awareness campaigns.

Product overview

Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia (CBO) operates as a professional medical association rather than a single unified software product. Its service portfolio comprises four interconnected pillars: (1) Education and Certification — delivered through the Prova Nacional de Oftalmologia (PNO), Exame ICO, 104 accredited training programs, Plataforma CBO e-learning platform, and continuing education seminars and webinars; (2) Scientific Publishing — led by the Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia (ABO) journal (SciELO/PubMed-indexed) and Jota Zero, alongside the public-access Visão em Foco portal; (3) Professional Defense — a legal department offering litigation support, regulatory advocacy, and scope-of-practice enforcement; and (4) Public Health Initiatives — campaigns such as 'De Olho nos Olhinhos' (retinoblastoma awareness) and '24 Horas pelo Glaucoma' (glaucoma prevention). Member-facing digital services include the Vote CBO online election platform, annual dues management (Anuidade CBO), digital member ID cards (Carteirinha de Associado), and patient education kits. The CBO also organizes the annual Congresso Brasileiro de Oftalmologia as its flagship scientific event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Membership (Anuidade CBO) Annual membership fee paid by licensed ophthalmologists granting access to member services, voting rights in CBO elections, discounted rates on exams and events, and digital member ID card. Fees collected through anuidadecbo.com.br.
• Prova Nacional de Oftalmologia (PNO) National Ophthalmology Examination administered by CBO as the sole authority, required for obtaining the official CBO/AMB Specialist Title (Título de Especialista) in Ophthalmology.
• ICO Examination Application International Council of Ophthalmology examinations administered by CBO as the sole entity in Brazil accredited to apply them, enabling international career opportunities for ophthalmologists.
• Congresso Brasileiro de Oftalmologia (Congresso CBO) Annual scientific congress bringing together Brazilian ophthalmologists for scientific exchange, continuing education, and professional networking.
• Defesa Profissional (Professional Defense Services) CBO's in-house legal department providing civil litigation, regulatory advocacy, and scope-of-practice enforcement to protect ophthalmologists against illegal practice (notably by optical shops performing eye exams without medical credentials).
• Educação Continuada (Continuing Education) Continuing medical education programs including seminars, webinars, and specialized courses supporting continuous career advancement of ophthalmologists.
• Plataforma CBO (Online Education Platform) Exclusive online distance learning and assessment platform offering a wide range of technical and scientific content for the professional development of CBO members, accessible via cursos.plataformacbo.com.br.
• Cursos Credenciados CBO (Accredited Training Programs) Network of 104 accredited ophthalmology specialization programs offered by partner institutions across Brazil, operating under CBO-established standards to ensure teaching excellence.
• Série Oftalmologia Brasileira Comprehensive multi-volume publication series offering in-depth coverage of diagnostic complexities and therapeutic approaches for specific ocular conditions, targeted at ophthalmology specialists.
• Jota Zero (Peer-Reviewed Journal) Leading peer-reviewed scientific journal in Brazilian ophthalmology published by CBO, covering clinical research and advancements in the specialty.
• Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia (ABO) Scientific journal affiliated with SciELO, indexed in PubMed and Web of Science, published continuously since 1938, sponsored by CBO and free to authors and readers.
• De Olho nos Olhinhos Campaign Fourth-edition public awareness and screening campaign focused on retinoblastoma (childhood eye cancer) and pediatric eye health, with 88 events across Brazil.
• VoteCBO (Online Voting Platform) Online voting platform enabling CBO members to participate in elections for the executive board and governance bodies, accessible via smartphone or computer and used in hybrid electoral processes.
• Anuidade CBO Membership Management Annual membership fee management platform enabling CBO members to pay annual dues and access member-exclusive services and resources through anuidadecbo.com.br.
• Revista Visão em Foco (Public Education Portal) Public-facing education portal and content resource providing accessible ophthalmology information on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for the general Brazilian population.

Quantifiable outcome

• In September 2025, the 'Chapa Conexão' received 95.7% of valid votes (66.7% via the VoteCBO online platform) in the CBO board election for 2026-2027.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Amil (health insurance)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Following CBO's intervention, Amil agreed to partially re-credential 21 ophthalmological services in São Paulo for intermediate and superior health plans, reversing prior total de-credentialing actions.
• SulAmérica (health insurance)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CBO participated in meetings with SulAmérica alongside CREMERJ and COOESO-RJ to challenge the operator's proposed surgical packages that bundle physician fees ('empacotamento de honorários').
• Associação Médica Brasileira (AMB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBO is affiliated to AMB, the Brazilian Medical Association, which co-issues the Specialist Title in Ophthalmology (Título de Especialista CBO/AMB) through the PNO examination.
• Associação Pan-Americana de Oftalmologia (APAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBO is affiliated to APAO, the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, representing Brazilian ophthalmology in the regional Latin American ophthalmology community.
• International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBO is a member of the ICO and the sole entity in Brazil accredited to apply the ICO's international ophthalmology examinations, conducted simultaneously in over 60 countries.
• International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBO is a member of IAPB, contributing to global blindness prevention efforts and aligning Brazilian initiatives with international public health goals.
• State Ophthalmological Societies (27 societies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBO coordinates 27 affiliated state ophthalmological societies across all Brazilian states, forming a national network for professional representation and education.
• Thematic Ophthalmological Societies (multiple)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBO coordinates multiple thematic societies including SBCCR (Brazilian Retina and Vitreous), SBG (Glaucoma), SBOP (Pediatric Ophthalmology), SBCPO (Refractive Surgery), SBOO (Ocular Oncology), ABNO (Neuro-Ophthalmology), and others, representing subspecialty interests within the CBO umbrella.
• Sociedade Brasileira de Glaucoma (SBG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBG and CBO co-promote the '24 Dias pelo Glaucoma' campaign. SBG's president participated in CBO media, discussing steroid-induced glaucoma risks and hypotonia ocular research.
• Sociedade Brasileira de Oftalmologia Pediátrica (SBOP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBOP and CBO jointly issued a technical note on visual therapies and rehabilitation based on scientific evidence for pediatric and adult patients with visual disorders.
• Associação Brasileira de Neuro-Oftalmologia (ABNO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABNO issued an alert on methanol-induced toxic optic neuropathy with CBO's participation, providing clinical guidance during an outbreak of adulterated alcohol causing blindness in Brazil.
• Patron sponsors (Bausch, Cristália, Essilor, Genom, J&J Vision, Programa Mais OFTA)minorOthersSix companies in the pharmaceutical and optical sectors appear as patron sponsors displayed on the CBO website footer: Bausch, Cristália, Essilor, Genom, J&J Vision Pro, and Programa Mais OFTA.
• National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA)coreOthersCBO, SBG, and SBOP submitted a public note to ANVISA calling for stricter controls on corticosteroid sales, requiring medical prescriptions and dispensing tracking systems.
• National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS)coreOthersCBO engages with ANS on health plan regulation, including advocacy against predatory packaging of physician fees and for adequate ophthalmologist reimbursement.
• Ministry of Health (Brazil)coreOthersCBO participates in public health policy discussions with the Ministry of Health, including advocacy for ophthalmology care in the SUS and the creation of structured eye care networks.
• National Health Council (CONASS)minorOthersCBO partnered with CONASS at the Forum Saúde Ocular no SUS 2024 held at the Chamber of Deputies to discuss eye health policy in Brazil's public health system.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists: RANZCO is the binational training and standards body for ophthalmologists in Australia and New Zealand, combining specialist examination, training accreditation, and CPD. Operationally aligned with CBO's PNO and accredited-program network.
• European Society of Ophthalmology: SOE is the pan-European ophthalmology society, organizing the SOE Congress and coordinating subspecialty societies across Europe. Comparable to CBO's role in federating 27 state societies and running the Congresso Brasileiro de Oftalmologia.
• All India Ophthalmological Society: AIOS is the national society of Indian ophthalmologists, running the annual AIOS conference, continuing education, and scientific publications. It is a comparable large-membership specialty association operating in a heterogeneous healthcare system.
• American Academy of Ophthalmology: The AAO is the US national professional association for ophthalmologists, offering a directly comparable mix of continuing education, clinical guidelines, advocacy, board certification support, and an annual meeting (AAO Annual Meeting). It is CBO's closest international structural analog.
• Royal College of Ophthalmologists: The RCOphth is the UK's membership body for ophthalmologists, responsible for training program accreditation, examinations, professional standards, and member advocacy. It mirrors CBO's combination of certification authority (PNO/ICO equivalent) and clinical/scientific publishing.
• Société Française d'Ophtalmologie: SFO is the French national society of ophthalmologists, organizing the annual French Ophthalmology Society Congress and publishing peer-reviewed journals. Comparable in scale, governance, and the congress-plus-publication model to CBO.
• German Ophthalmological Society (DOG): DOG is Germany's oldest medical scientific society, organizing the DOG Congress and ophthalmic training standards. Mirrors CBO's combination of scientific publishing, congress operations, and continuing medical education.

Broad incumbents

• Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology: APAO is the regional federation of which CBO is a member. It functions as a broader umbrella across Latin American and Pan-American ophthalmology, comparable to CBO's national scope but at a multi-country level.
• International Council of Ophthalmology: ICO is the global ophthalmology body that accredits CBO to administer international examinations. As a higher-tier international authority and examination standard-setter, it is the regulatory peer for CBO's certification work.

Others

• Associação Médica Brasileira (AMB): AMB is the umbrella Brazilian Medical Association that co-issues the Specialist Title with CBO through the PNO examination. It is an enabling/parent-like institutional peer in Brazil's medical certification architecture rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CBO2020
• YouTubebit.ly/YoutubeCBO
• Facebookfacebook.com/conselho.oftalmologia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/conselho-brasileiro-oftalmologia
• Instagraminstagram.com/cbo_oftalmologia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia