An optical element , that is switchable between at least two types of optical states, the optical element comprising: a lower substrate and an upper substrate disposed facing each other; a plurality of lower electrodes provided so as to be spread on a surface of the lower substrate that faces the upper substrate , and including at least first and second lower electrodes arranged adjacent in a first direction in the lower substrate plane; a plurality of upper electrodes provided so as to be spread on a surface of the upper substrate that faces the lower substrate , and including at least a first upper electrode that faces the first lower electrode and a second upper electrode that faces a portion of the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode ; a conductive member that is sandwiched between the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode and that electrically connects the first lower electrode to the second upper electrode , the conductive member being selectively disposed in an overlap region (Ao) in which the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode overlap when the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode are projected on a virtual plane parallel to the lower substrate or the upper substrate ; an electrolyte layer with which space between the lower substrate and the upper substrate is filled; and a low-resistance member that is disposed between the first lower electrode and the conductive member , and between the second upper electrode and the conductive member , and that has a lower resistivity than the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode , wherein the conductive member is connected to the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode via the low-resistance member . a lower substrate and an upper substrate disposed facing each other; a plurality of lower electrodes provided so as to be spread on a surface of the lower substrate that faces the upper substrate , and including at least first and second lower electrodes arranged adjacent in a first direction in the lower substrate plane; a plurality of upper electrodes provided so as to be spread on a surface of the upper substrate that faces the lower substrate , and including at least a first upper electrode that faces the first lower electrode and a second upper electrode that faces a portion of the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode ; a conductive member that is sandwiched between the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode and that electrically connects the first lower electrode to the second upper electrode , the conductive member being selectively disposed in an overlap region (Ao) in which the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode overlap when the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode are projected on a virtual plane parallel to the lower substrate or the upper substrate ; an electrolyte layer with which space between the lower substrate and the upper substrate is filled; and a low-resistance member that is disposed between the first lower electrode and the conductive member , and between the second upper electrode and the conductive member , and that has a lower resistivity than the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode , wherein the conductive member is connected to the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode via the low-resistance member . <EOS>