FIELD: glassmaking industry. SUBSTANCE: for manufacture of optical elements with a spherical surface glass in a thermoplastic state is forced into one or several cylindrical ducts made of material non-wettable by glass, for example, graphite, until a glazing bead with the front surface in the form of a sphere is formed. After cooling the glazing bead is extracted from the duct and subjected to mechanical treatment; a temperature pattern homogeneous in radial direction is maintained in the duct in the process of glass forcing. The duct diameter is selected from the relation given in the description of the invention. EFFECT: facilitated procedure. 4 cl, 8 dwg
