Bita Esmaeli, MD, MA
Contact information
LOCATION
WEBSITE
bitaesmaeli.com
SPECIALTY
Ophthalmic Oncologist
Orbital and adnexal oncology/Oncologic ophthalmic plastic surgeon
Education and Fellowships
RESIDENCY
University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center
Current Positions
Professor of Ophthalmology
Orbital Oncology, Oculoplastic Surgery
Methodist Hospital/Mann Eye Institute
Houston, Texas
Biography
Dr. Bita Esmaeli served as a tenured Professor of Ophthalmology at The University of Texas M.
D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston from 1998 to 2024. She was the founding member and
Chief of Section of Ophthalmology at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1998 to 2004 and the
Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Fellowship Program Director from 2001 to 2024. She has led a
world-renowned orbital and adnexal oncology referral practice for the last 27 years. Dr
Esmaeli’s current academic appointments include University of Houston Fertitta College of
Medicine and Houston Methodist Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of
Ophthalmology.
Dr. Esmaeli’s practice focus is surgical treatment of orbital tumors, lacrimal gland carcinomas,
eyelid cancers, melanoma of eyelid and conjunctiva, and reconstructive surgery in the
periocular region including lacrimal and orbital surgery. Her research interests include early
detection of metastasis including sentinel lymph node biopsy for ocular adnexal melanomas and
carcinomas, multi-disciplinary eye sparing approaches for lacrimal gland and other orbital
tumors, molecular targets for treatment for ocular and orbital cancers, and neoadjuvant
treatments for eyelid and conjunctival cancers with the overarching theme of preserving vision
and ocular function while eliminating cancer.
Dr. Esmaeli has authored over 340 peer-reviewed manuscripts, over 60 invited articles, books,
and book chapters, and has spearheaded numerous clinical trials and research protocols. Dr
Esmaeli served as the co-Chair of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project for uveal
melanoma sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. She teaches widely throughout the
world and is a frequent guest speaker at national and international meetings and has delivered
numerous named lectures.
She has received many prestigious awards and honors including the Merrill Reeh Pathology
Award and the Research Award from the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), the American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior
Achievement Award and Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Doctors in America, and Top
Doctors Award, The American Association of Cancer Research Team Science Award, and
Educator of the Quarter Award at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr Esmaeli was the recipient
of the Wendel Hughes Award given by the American Society of Oculofacial Plastic Surgery
(ASOPRS) in 2022. Dr Esmaeli is a member of the American Ophthalmologic Society. Dr
Esmaeli serves on the Board of Governors of the American College of Surgeons and is the co-
chair of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Ophthalmic Oncology task force.
LOCATION
- Oncologic Ophthalmic Plastic & Orbital Surgery
- Mann Eye Institute/Houston Methodist Hospital
- 5115 Fannin Street, Unit 1000, Houston , Texas 77004
Map & Directions »
WEBSITE
bitaesmaeli.com
SPECIALTY
Ophthalmic Oncologist
Orbital and adnexal oncology/Oncologic ophthalmic plastic surgeon
Education and Fellowships
RESIDENCY
University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center
Current Positions
Professor of Ophthalmology
Orbital Oncology, Oculoplastic Surgery
Methodist Hospital/Mann Eye Institute
Houston, Texas
Biography
Dr. Bita Esmaeli served as a tenured Professor of Ophthalmology at The University of Texas M.
D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston from 1998 to 2024. She was the founding member and
Chief of Section of Ophthalmology at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1998 to 2004 and the
Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Fellowship Program Director from 2001 to 2024. She has led a
world-renowned orbital and adnexal oncology referral practice for the last 27 years. Dr
Esmaeli’s current academic appointments include University of Houston Fertitta College of
Medicine and Houston Methodist Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of
Ophthalmology.
Dr. Esmaeli’s practice focus is surgical treatment of orbital tumors, lacrimal gland carcinomas,
eyelid cancers, melanoma of eyelid and conjunctiva, and reconstructive surgery in the
periocular region including lacrimal and orbital surgery. Her research interests include early
detection of metastasis including sentinel lymph node biopsy for ocular adnexal melanomas and
carcinomas, multi-disciplinary eye sparing approaches for lacrimal gland and other orbital
tumors, molecular targets for treatment for ocular and orbital cancers, and neoadjuvant
treatments for eyelid and conjunctival cancers with the overarching theme of preserving vision
and ocular function while eliminating cancer.
Dr. Esmaeli has authored over 340 peer-reviewed manuscripts, over 60 invited articles, books,
and book chapters, and has spearheaded numerous clinical trials and research protocols. Dr
Esmaeli served as the co-Chair of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project for uveal
melanoma sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. She teaches widely throughout the
world and is a frequent guest speaker at national and international meetings and has delivered
numerous named lectures.
She has received many prestigious awards and honors including the Merrill Reeh Pathology
Award and the Research Award from the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), the American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior
Achievement Award and Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Doctors in America, and Top
Doctors Award, The American Association of Cancer Research Team Science Award, and
Educator of the Quarter Award at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr Esmaeli was the recipient
of the Wendel Hughes Award given by the American Society of Oculofacial Plastic Surgery
(ASOPRS) in 2022. Dr Esmaeli is a member of the American Ophthalmologic Society. Dr
Esmaeli serves on the Board of Governors of the American College of Surgeons and is the co-
chair of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Ophthalmic Oncology task force.
