There is provided an optical element. The optical element includes an element body having an optically effective region that has an optical axis and a peripheral region extending in a circumferential direction of the element body, a holding region disposed in the peripheral region, and a contact region in the holding region. The holding region co-operates with a holding device to hold the element body. The contact region is configured with a first contact surface and a second contact surface that are (a) spaced apart from one another in a direction of the optical axis, (b) both inclined with respect to the optical axis; and (c) not parallel to one another.