Blake H. Fortes, M.D.
Dr. Blake H. Fortes is a board-certified ophthalmologist who joined the Retina Group of Florida following the completion of a two-year fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at the prestigious UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute in Los Angeles. During his fellowship, he provided patient care and trained residents at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the Los Angeles County hospital system, and the West LA Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In recognition of his surgical expertise, he received the 2025 Real World Ophthalmology Skilled Surgeon Award.
He graduated from a dual enrollment program in high school which enabled him to complete his
Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 2.5 years at the University of Miami. He graduated
summa cum laude and was awarded merit-based and research scholarships. He subsequently
graduated from medical school at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of
Medicine where he was awarded the Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation Scholarship, a full-tuition merit-based scholarship. He received multiple recognitions including the Outstanding Academic Performance Award for every year of medical school and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.
After graduation, he completed his internship and ophthalmology residency training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In residency, he received numerous honors including the Ophthalmology Academic Achievement Award, the Vitreoretinal Surgery Foundation Research Award for his research, best resident case presentation at the Atlantic Coast Retina Conference, and was invited to attend the Heed Resident Retreat. He is Board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Fortes has published many peer-reviewed articles and book chapters including in the following
journals: Ophthalmology, Retina, Ophthalmology Retina, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, and Drugs, among others. He has presented his research at numerous national and international conferences including the Retina Society, the American Society of Retina Specialists, the American Academy of
Ophthalmology, and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. Additionally, he
has served as a sub-investigator on multiple clinical trials during his time in fellowship in Los Angeles. He is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists, the American Academy of
Ophthalmology, Vit Buckle Society, and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and Bernedoodle, as well as
outdoor activities like running and hiking.
