A rod lens with one or more optically active surfaces and one or more inactive surfaces, in which one part of the optically inactive surface or surfaces, especially a lens facet and/or radial peripheral surface of a lens, is smooth, and a method for smoothing one part of one or more optically inactive surfaces of a lens, especially of a lens facet and/or radial peripheral surface of a lens. As a result, the occurrence of fissures in the lens is prevented or reduced.