Lens assembly, camera module having a lens assembly for motor vehicles, and a method for making lens assembly

A lens assembly comprising:

• a lens body including at least one lens element;
• and
• a heating element including an optically transparent coating that comprises an optically transparent conductive layer having at least aluminum-doped zinc oxide, wherein the optically transparent coating is applied to at least a portion of the lens body such that the at least aluminum-doped zinc oxide is coupled to the at least one lens element for resistive heating of at least one portion of the lens body as electric current flows through the optically transparent conductive layer for removing any water-based obstructions that may be attached to the lens body,
• wherein the optically transparent coating further comprises at least one optically transparent back layer arranged between the lens body and the optically transparent conductive layer.