Optical elements with spatially-variable optical power

A method for manufacturing an optical apparatus, the method comprising:

• employing an active optical element formed by encasing an active material between at least a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate being optically transparent;
• employing means for selectively controlling the active material in a central portion and a plurality of sectors of the active optical element, the central portion and the plurality of sectors being arranged around an optical axis of the active optical element, the plurality of sectors surrounding the central portion;
• configuring a processor to generate a drive signal to drive said means to selectively control the active material in at least one of:
• the central portion, at least one of the plurality of sectors to produce a given optical power thereat;
• and
• employing a passive optical element having a fixed optical power, wherein the fixed optical power of the passive optical element is combined with the given optical power of at least one of the central portion or the at least one of the plurality of sectors to produce a combined optical power.