Free surface nickel in CE-marked and non-CE-marked spectacle frames.

Three hundred and ninety-five new frames were tested for evidence of nickel release using dimethylglyoxime and ammonia. For areas of CE-marked frames in direct contact with the skin a considerable improvement was found over the previous such survey by the authors, carried out before the widespread introduction of CE marking. However, free nickel was found in 6.5% of CE-marked metal frames (excluding titanium and titanium alloy) in such areas and a majority of half joints. Some titanium alloy frames also tested positive for nickel in areas in contact with the skin.