Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care – Leading Eye care and hearing care chain. Leightons Opticians, a family owned business was established in 1928 by H. O. Leighton, the father of the current chairman, Richard Leighton. The first practice was opened in Southampton and focused on providing a highly personalised service, employing ophthalmic medical practitioners and dispensing opticians at the core of the business. Drawing upon the formula of service and quality, Leightons continued to successfully expand its optician operations in the South East. Leighton is one of the leading brand in the UK market in eye care and hearing care with branches in many parts of the country with a strong presence in the internet.