Optical distance sensor having exposure control, comprising: a light source for producing an illumination light beam and for directing the illumination light beam onto a measurement object, a detector for detecting a measurement light beam which is brought about by means of reflection of the illumination light beam on the measurement object, a measurement control unit for controlling the detector when the measurement light beam is detected and when measurement values are read, an evaluation unit which is constructed in a phase of a measurement operation to evaluate measurement values of the detector in order to establish a spacing (a) between the distance sensor and the measurement object and a controller which controls the light source, the detector and/or the measurement control unit in such a manner that a quantity of light which is received and which is detected during a period of illumination by the detector or is detected by a part-region of the detector is located in a desired range or approaches this desired range, wherein the distance sensor is constructed both in phases of the measurement operation and in measurement pauses which are formed between the phases of the measurement operation to transmit an illumination light beam and to detect a measurement light beam and to evaluate it by means of the controller, wherein the distance sensor is further constructed between two successive phases of a measurement operation to carry out at least one intermediate measurement (1, 1', 1"), wherein during an intermediate measurement (1, 1', 1") an illumination light beam is produced and a measurement light beam is detected without a spacing value (a) being established, wherein the measurement values of the detector which are read during an intermediate measurement are evaluated only for the control of the quantity of light received and are not used to establish a spacing, and in the case of a plurality of intermediate measurements (1, 1', 1") before carrying out a possible intermediate measurement (1, 1', 1") to check whether a control difference which is established by the controller is above a first threshold value and consequently an additional intermediate measurement (1, 1', 1") is required or whether a control difference which is established by the controller is below a second threshold value and consequently an additional intermediate measurement (1, 1', 1") can be dispensed with. a light source for producing an illumination light beam and for directing the illumination light beam onto a measurement object, a detector for detecting a measurement light beam which is brought about by means of reflection of the illumination light beam on the measurement object, a measurement control unit for controlling the detector when the measurement light beam is detected and when measurement values are read, an evaluation unit which is constructed in a phase of a measurement operation to evaluate measurement values of the detector in order to establish a spacing (a) between the distance sensor and the measurement object and a controller which controls the light source, the detector and/or the measurement control unit in such a manner that a quantity of light which is received and which is detected during a period of illumination by the detector or is detected by a part-region of the detector is located in a desired range or approaches this desired range, wherein the distance sensor is constructed both in phases of the measurement operation and in measurement pauses which are formed between the phases of the measurement operation to transmit an illumination light beam and to detect a measurement light beam and to evaluate it by means of the controller, wherein the distance sensor is further constructed between two successive phases of a measurement operation to carry out at least one intermediate measurement (1, 1', 1"), wherein during an intermediate measurement (1, 1', 1") an illumination light beam is produced and a measurement light beam is detected without a spacing value (a) being established, wherein the measurement values of the detector which are read during an intermediate measurement are evaluated only for the control of the quantity of light received and are not used to establish a spacing, and in the case of a plurality of intermediate measurements (1, 1', 1") before carrying out a possible intermediate measurement (1, 1', 1") to check whether a control difference which is established by the controller is above a first threshold value and consequently an additional intermediate measurement (1, 1', 1") is required or whether a control difference which is established by the controller is below a second threshold value and consequently an additional intermediate measurement (1, 1', 1") can be dispensed with.