1. An optical element which comprises a first substrate having a first electrode, a second substrate, a second electrode arranged outside the second substrate and having a hole, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and constituted by liquid crystal molecules oriented, and in which a first voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode to control an orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, wherein a third electrode is arranged on an insulating layer and outside the second electrode and configured to receive a second voltage that is independent of the first voltage; and the first voltage has a fixed value that imparts optimal first-stage optical properties to the optical element, and the second voltage is changed to vary second-stage optical properties of the optical element.