a method and to an apparatus for producing optical glass elements, in particular for producing what is referred to as low-cost optics for focusing light onto small areas, for example, for photovoltaic applications or optical couplers. The method for producing the optical glass elements includes: providing a glass rod having a selected cross-section, heating the glass rod such that it can be deformed in at least some sections, molding at least one optical glass element from the deformable section using a molding tool, separating the optical glass element from the glass rod at the connection, arranging a plurality of separated optical glass elements to form a group, and grinding and/or polishing at least one section of the separating surfaces of the grouped optical glass elements. The invention makes it possible to produce optical glass elements that meet low quality requirements in high quantities and with high output at low cost.