Spectacle frames produced nowadays broadly fall into the categories of plastic or metal, or a combination of both. While these materials have their own features and benefits which work better for some wearers than others, there is one particular type of metal that offers excellent benefits above all other types of frame. This is titanium – a space age metal that is possibly the ideal of all materials for eyewear.

Titanium is corrosion resistant, incredibly strong, hypoallergenic and very lightweight – up to 48% lighter than conventional metal frames. Heavy glasses can cause sores on the nose and behind the ears, exacerbate sinus problems and make the spectacle wearer’s life a misery. Any reduction in frame weight can improve this situation. A light frame will also stay in the correct position and ensure the best possible vision.

It is also corrosion resistant. Some spectacle wearers find that traditional metal frames will corrode against their skin, causing the frame to tarnish and it’s surface to roughen and pit. This looks unsightly and can also cause a reaction in the skin. Titanium is 20 times more corrosion resistant than a metal called Monel, which is the most common material used in spectacle frame manufacture.

Three types of titanium are used for glasses frames – pure, beta titanium, and memory metal. A big issue for spectacle wearers is the nickel content of frames, as nickel can cause severe allergic reactions for those affected by it. In some sufferers the metal does not even need to touch the skin – just the proximity of it can cause a flare up. Pure titanium frames are 100 percent free of nickel, and are often the only type of metal frames that people with a sensitivity can wear.

Pure titanium is the firmest type of titanium, and was the first variety of titanium used in eyewear. Memory metal is a mixture of titanium and nickel, so if you have an allergy look carefully at the labelling of frames that claim to be titanium – this material is an alloy of the two. You can totally distort memory metal and it will always spring back into shape. Beta titanium is an alloy, and as it is less firm it forms an easily adjusted and flexible material. It is a combination of 73% titanium, 4% aluminium, and 22% vanadium and 1% trace elements. Note that this too is Nickel free. It has the advantage of flexibility while still retaining the strength of pure titanium, so it’s useful for very thin frames.

Some frame designs call for a mixture of types of titanium for the perfect piece of eyewear. A frame might have Beta titanium joints or end tips for greater adjustability and flexibility, while utilising pure titanium in the rims to make the frame as lightweight as possible. Titanium is an attractive material when finished, it can be highly polished and comes in a variety of colours and finishes. If you need a tough, light, fashionable frame that’s skin-friendly, look for the titanium label.