Mr Leadbetter has performed thousands of cataract and refractive lens surgery operations, and has a particular interest in complex cases. His safety record is exceptional, far exceeding national benchmarks.  His particular expertise is in being able to guide patients through the range of lenses available including monofocal, toric, extended depth of focus, spiral multifocal and trifocal multifocal lenses. He takes the time to explain, navigating each patient through the most appropriate options for them.

For glaucoma, Mr Leadbetter is an expert at all aspects of care including diagnosis, medical, laser and surgical treatments, including selective laser trabeculoplasty and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. He takes great care to find the most effective, manageable and tolerable treatments for each person. He is well known in the region for his expertise, and is happy to offer second opinions and help with patients who are deteriorating despite their current treatments.

Mr Leadbetter studied Medicine at Imperial College London, with his training primarily based in some of the top London teaching hospitals. Recognising a talent for surgery early on in his training, he opted to study for an additional BSc in Surgery and Anaesthesia. Foundation Training was completed in London, where Mr Leadbetter worked in Ophthalmology and complimentary specialities. After almost a decade in London, Mr Leadbetter was keen to return home to the South West, where he undertook his Ophthalmic Specialist Training. His training involved learning from many of the region’s top surgeons, with a particular focus on cataracts and glaucoma from an early stage. After his general ophthalmic training, he undertook a fellowship in Glaucoma at The Bristol Eye Hospital.

Mr Leadbetter was then appointed as a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at the Royal United Hospital Bath. He is the sole glaucoma specialist, caring for a population of 500,000. Since commencing his post, he has modernised the glaucoma department, introducing virtual clinics, selective laser trabeculoplasty, tube surgery, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, and expanding the service through higher training of in-house optometrists.

Following on from his successes in the glaucoma department, Mr Leadbetter was appointed as the Lead Clinician of the entire Ophthalmology Unit. Alongside his usual clinical duties, he now manages the eye department, driving forward ongoing improvement and innovation. Since taking his leadership role, Mr Leadbetter has restructured the Eye Casualty Service, improved Ophthalmology Operating Theatre efficiency, introduced a high-volume cataract service, and is working with a national improvement team to develop more efficient virtual working.

Mr Leadbetter values medical research and actively contributes to the medical literature. He focuses on his areas of expertise, notably cataracts and glaucoma. He has published numerous journal articles and presented at national and international conferences on these topics. He also acts as a reviewer for the European Journal of Ophthalmology, critically appraising others’ work and ensuring only the highest standard of research is published.

Outside of work, Mr Leadbetter enjoys spending time outdoors with his young family and friends. With family ties in the South West and Scotland, holidays are often spent in Devon, Cornwall or Argyll. Favourite activities include hiking, cycling, surfing, skiing and cooking.

Clinical interests - 

• Cataract Surgery
• Refractive lens exchange
• Premium Intraocular Lenses
  • Toric Intraocular lenses
  • Extended Depth of Focus Lenses
  • Spiral Multifocal Lenses
  • Trifocal Multifocal Lenses
• High prescriptions
  • Myopia
  • Hypermetropia
  • Astigmatism
• Glaucoma
• Laser Surgery
  • Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
  • Yag Capsulotomy
  • Peripheral Iridotomy
• Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery
  • iStent surgery
  • OMNI surgical system
• Glaucoma surgery
  • Trabeculectomy surgery
  • Bleb Needling
  • Preserflo

• Tube surgery

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists

United Kingdom & Ireland Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons

The UK and Eire Glaucoma Society

Full registration with the General Medical Council

Useful links - 

• https://www.duncanleadbetter.co.uk/