Mr Brian Leatherbarrow

Practising at

Spire Manchester Hospital

Treatment information

Some of the principal treatments carried out by Mr Brian Leatherbarrow at Spire include:

Ophthalmology

• Eyelid cyst surgery

Other treatments

Professional profile

I am a Consultant Ophthalmic, Oculoplastic, Orbital and Lacrimal Surgeon now in full time private practice, having resigned from my NHS post in August 2014. I am now an honorary consultant ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

My clinical work is mostly of a subspecialist nature. I undertake eyelid, orbital/socket, and lacrimal surgery managing patients presenting with ptosis (droopy upper eyelids), eyelid tumours, eyelid and orbital trauma, watering eyes, eyelid problems in thyroid eye disease, entropion, ectropion, droopy brows, eyelid and eye problems following facial palsy, enucleation and orbital implant surgery for blind painful unsightly eyes, socket reconstructive surgery for patients who have lost an eye. I undertake cosmetic eyelid surgery for patients with hooded upper lids and lower lid ‘bags’ every week. I have undertaken hundreds of these operations over the course of the last 25+ years.

In addition to my general ophthalmic training I undertook a six month oculoplastic subspecialty training fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, in 1989 and then undertook a further 12 months fellowship in oculoplastic, orbital and lacrimal surgery at the University Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa in 1991. This was an intensive training fellowship with exposure to all aspects of oculoplastic, orbital and lacrimal surgery. I also spent time training with plastic surgeons, ENT surgeons, neurosurgeons and maxillofacial surgeons during the course of my fellowship in the USA. I have worked closely with colleagues in these specialties for over 20 years. I was the preceptor for an oculoplastic and orbital sub-specialty training fellowship at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital for over 20 years. I and have trained over 25 surgeons from Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Europe and Israel in addition to surgeons from the U.K.

I have over 100 publications in peer reviewed medical journals to date. I am the author of 6 book chapters on oculoplastic surgery including a chapter on blepharoplasty in Scott-Brown's Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Eighth Edition, 2018. I am also the single author of a major textbook ‘Oculoplastic Surgery’ published by Martin Dunitz, 2002. The second edition of this textbook was published by Informa Healthcare in December 2010. The third edition is due for publication by Thieme in late 2018. Lastly, I have given many lectures and presented papers at national and international conferences on a variety of topics within my area of expertise.

My clinical interests are in all aspects of eyelid surgery. I also undertake a lot of specialist medico-legal work, providing expertise witness reports for solicitors.

Media Coverage

Cutting edge humanity

Pressreader article

Qualification and professional memberships

BSc 1st Class Honours / Manchester / 1979
Bachelor of Science

MBChB Honours / Manchester / 1982
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery

DO / London / 1985
Diploma in Ophthalmology

FRCS Ed / Edinburgh / 1987
Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons

FRCOphth / London / 1992
Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists

Professional memberships

The European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons (ESOPRS)
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
The British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS)
The British Medical Association (BMA)
The Faculty of Expert Witnesses for Doctors (FEW)
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)

Professional leadership

I was the founder treasurer of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society, 2001 – 2006 and a former President of the Society (2011-2014).

Current NHS posts

Honorary consultant ophthalmic & oculoplastic surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital

Financial Interests

I am a shareholder and director of Manchester Eye and Cosmetic Surgery Clinic Ltd. trading as Face & Eye Clinic.

Private contact details