<p>A high precision optical element exhibiting good mass productivity and an optical head employing such an optical element. An optical element to be mounted on a slider sliding on a recording medium is provided with a groove which is formed of a fluid material transmitting light introduced from a light source and has one open end and the other closed end, and a plane for deflecting light entering from the other end of the groove, wherein the fluid material forming the bottom of the groove is thicker on the other end side than on the one side.</p>
