Our publication presents a comprehensive review of Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes for the fabrication of optical elements. This review helps in identifying research gaps and supports engineers in selecting appropriate materials and processes for refractive, diffractive, reflective and waveguide optics. We provide a structured perspective on the current state of AM technology, highlighting its capability for functional integration and application versatility in optical technologies. The significant advantages of AM in the production of optical elements, such as high degree of design freedom, decreased development time, and cost-effectiveness are demonstrated. We highlight the advancements in processing polymers, glasses, metals, and multi-material compositions, revealing the potential for unconventional optics design. Considerations include the utilized wavelength, energy and the resulting optical element size. Our findings establish AM as a vital innovation in the production of optical components, warranting further exploration and development.