A method for fabricating a lens in which the lens composition is controlled by dynamic shaping and shadowing. A lens material is vaporized and directed to a substrate through an orifice which is rotating relative to the substrate about the lens axis and which has a non-uniform radial distribution. The lens material is condensed on the substrate to form a lens having a radially non-uniform but axially symmetrical distribution. Thereafter, the original orifice may be replaced by a complimentary orifice and another lens material vaporized and directed to the substrate through the replacement orifice which is also rotating relative to the substrate about the lens axis and which also has a non-uniform radial distribution. This second lens material condenses on the first condensed lens material to form a compound lens.
