Mr Leatherbarrow was appointed as a consultant ophthalmic, oculoplastic and orbitofacial surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital in July 1992, and continued his NHS practice there until October 2014. He is now in full time private practice in Manchester. He remains an honorary consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital where he regularly undertakes private oculoplastic, orbital and lacrimal surgery under general anaesthesia. He also operates at the Spire Manchester Hospital. His areas of expertise are oculoplastic, orbital, and lacrimal surgery. He performed over 500 specialist oculoplastic/orbital/lacrimal operations per year (plastic surgery operations around the eyes and upper face) for over 25 years. He now performs approximately 250-300 operations per year, working in close conjunction with his consultant ophthalmic & oculolpastic colleague Mr Paul Cannon.