An optical scanner such as a bar code scanner has a window comprising a holographic optical element through which both the outgoing scanning beam and the returned reflective light passes. The frequency distribution of the element may be chosen to achieve certain desirable characteristics, for example the removal of the dead zone immediately in front of the scanner and control of the beam profile and field of view. The element may be divided up into several separate zones or regions one of which is adapted to control the outgoing beam and the other of which is adapted to receive the incoming reflected light and to focus it onto a photodetector.