An optical recording method which comprises providing a recording layer containing a recording susbstance that has an absorption maximum in the visible and near infrared wavelength region of 600 to 1,200 nm and loses or diminishes its power to absorb visible or near infrared radiation in the aforesaid wavelength region upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, an electron beam or an ion beam, and irradiating desired locations of the recording layer with ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, an electron beam or ion beam to form a pattern based on the presence or absence, or variation in strength, of the power to absorb visible or near infrared radiation in the aforesaid wavelength region so as to record information in the recording layer; a method for reading optically recorded information which comprises illuminating a pattern formed as described above with laser light having a wavelength in the aforesaid visible and near infrared region and detecting the presence or absence, or variation in intensity, of absorption of the laser light to read the recorded information; and optical recording media for use in the above-described optical recording method.