Dr. Esmaeli established the Ophthalmology Section as a comprehensive full-time specialty at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in 1998. She served as the Director of the Ophthalmologic Services from 1998 to 2001 and as the Chief of the Ophthalmology Section at M. D. Anderson from 2001 to 2004. She is the Program Director for an ASOPRS-sponsored and ACGME-approved fellowship in oculoplastic surgery and orbital oncology at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr Esmaeli has authored over 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts, over 50 invited articles and book chapters, has spearheaded several clinical trials and has participated in numerous research protocols at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. 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, the American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement Award, Best Doctors in America, and Top Doctors Award. Dr Esmaeli was inducted as a member of the American Ophthalmologic Society in 2012.
Dr Esmaeli 's clinical practice focuses on the surgical treatment of tumors of the eyelid, orbit, and conjunctiva, complex reconstructive surgery in the periocular region, and lacrimal surgery. Her research interests include molecular signature of ocular and orbital tumors, tissue banking for rare tumors of the eye and orbit, and eye and vision-sparing treatment strategies for orbital and ocular cancers.
