Bita Esmaeli, MD, FACS, is a leading ophthalmic plastic and orbital surgeon who is internationally renowned for her clinical and academic expertise in oncology. For over 26 years, her practice has focused on the surgical treatment of orbital tumors, lacrimal gland carcinomas, eyelid cancers, melanomas of the eyelid and conjunctiva, and reconstructive surgery in the periocular region.
Dr. Esmaeli served as a tenured Professor of Ophthalmology at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston from 1998 to 2024, where she was also Chief of the Section of Ophthalmology from 1998 to 2004 and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Fellowship Program Director from 2001 to 2024. She now has a private practice in Houston open to new and existing patients.
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. She has been a member of the American Ophthalmologic Society since 2012.
She has received many awards for her research and teaching, including:
- The Merrill Reeh Pathology Award, given by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) for the most significant paper published on oculoplastic pathology in a year
- The ASOPRS Research Award, given by ASOPRS for work that significantly advances knowledge in the field of ophthalmic plastic surgery
- The Wendell Hughes Award, given to an individual who delivers a prestigious named lecture at the joint ASOPRS-AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Symposium
- The American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement Award
- The American Association of Cancer Research Team Science Award for her work on The National Cancer Institute’s The Cancer Genome Atlas project
- The Educator of the Quarter Award at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
She has also received accolades for patient care, including Best Doctors in America and Top Doctors awards.