The wafer-level manufacturing method makes possible to manufacture ultrathin optical devices such as opto-electronic modules. A clear encapsulation is applied to an initial wafer including active optical components and a wafer-size substrate. Thereon, a photostructurable spectral filter layer is produced which defines apertures. Then, trenches are produced which extend through the clear encapsulation and establish sidewalls of intermediate products. Then, an opaque encapsulation is applied to the intermediate products, thus filling the trenches and producing aperture stops. Cutting through the opaque encapsulation material present in the trenches, singulated optical modules are produced, wherein side walls of the intermediate products are covered by the opaque encapsulation material. The wafer-size substrate can be attached to a rigid carrier wafer during most process steps.