To optimize an optical component of synthetic quartz glass, in the case of which a quartz glass blank is subjected to a multistage annealing treatment, with respect to compaction and central birefringence, the present invention suggests a method comprising the following steps: (a) a first treatment phase during which the quartz glass blank is treated in an upper temperature range between 1130° C. and 1240° C., (b) cooling the quartz glass blank at a first-higher-mean cooling rate to a quenching temperature below 1100° C., a fictive temperature with a high mean value of 1100° C. or more being reached in the quartz glass, (c) a second treatment phase which comprises cooling of the quartz glass blank at a second-lower-mean cooling rate, and in which the quartz glass blank is treated in a lower temperature range between 950° C. and 1100° C. such that a fictive temperature is reached in the quartz glass with a low mean value which is at least 50° C. lower than the high mean value of the fictive temperature according to method step (b).