Bita Esmaeli Email & Phone Number

Internationally renowned for her expertise in orbital oncology and oncologic ophthalmic plastic surgery, Dr. Bita Esmaeli is a professor and the Fellowship Program Director for Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery in the Department of Plastic Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, her practice focuses on the surgical treatment of orbital tumors, lacrimal gland carcinomas, eyelid cancers, melanoma of eyelid and conjunctiva, and reconstructive surgery in the periocular region including lacrimal surgery. Dr. Esmaeli has authored over 300 publications and has spearheaded numerous clinical trials and research protocols. Additionally, she teaches throughout the world and is a frequent speaker at national and international meetings.After receiving her Medical Doctorate at Chicago Medical School, Dr. Esmaeli completed her Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Michigan in 1994. Shortly following, she completed the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) Fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto. In 1998, Dr. Esmaeli began her orbital oncology and oncologic ophthalmic plastic surgery practice at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.Her research interests include early detection of metastasis, multi-disciplinary eye sparing approaches, and molecular targets for treatment for ocular and orbital cancers. For her work, Dr. Esmaeli has received many prestigious awards and honors including the Merrill Reeh Pathology Award, the Research Award, and The Wendel Hughes Award from the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), the American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement Award, Best Doctors in America, and Top Doctors Award. In 2017 and 2018, Dr. Esmaeli had two of her articles which were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Cancer Cell included on the Wall of Science at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She was the recipient of the Team Science Award by the American Association for Cancer Research for co-leading the TCGA project on uveal melanoma. Dr Esmaeli served as the Director of Ophthalmology Service at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1998-2000 and subsequently as the Chief of Ophthalmology Section until 2004. She is currently an ASOPRS Fellowship Program Director for Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.