Abstract: The invention relates to the formation of optical lens including a coating, typically, an anti-reflective (AR) coating which provides improved characteristics of the lens. The invention provides for a method and apparatus for forming the coated lens in which there is provided a sheet material with the coating applied to at least one surface thereof. At least part of the sheet material is then placed into a mold and located so as to form an external surface of the lens, the base of which is formed by introducing, typically by injection, a material into the mold and during which molding process the material and sheet material join together to form the optical lens with the coating.

Abstract: A lighting unit comprises an optical component (1) having an interior surface (3) and an exterior surface (5), the interior surface (3) of the optical component (1) for receiving a beam (10) of collimated light incident thereon, and the exterior surface (5) forming an exterior surface of the lighting unit. The optical component (1) comprises a plurality of Fresnel or diffractive lens elements (9) arranged to focus the beam of light (10) to a corresponding plurality of points in a predefined pattern on the exterior surface (10) thereof. The exterior surface (5) of the optical component (1) is provided with a substantially opaque mask (7) which is patterned with apertures at a plurality of points corresponding to the predefined pattern so that the light may emanate therethrough.