A high-pressure resistant compact precision measurement head for highly exact optical refractive index measurements in liquids and/or gases comprising a refractive index reference body, mounted on a high-pressure bulkhead fitting. The body is composed of a single, optically homogenous material produced by pre-calculation of its geometry economically, mechanically and automatically with extremely low tolerances. The measurement head can be formed in such a manner that it has on its front portion an especially small measurement volume to as little as less than 0.5 mm³, through which a very thin optical measurement ray passes. The latter is produced behind a high-pressure bulkhead fitting in a pressure-protected interior cavity of the instrument and also evaluated there as an incoming ray after passing through the measurement medium. The precision measurement head possesses thereby no assembly and adjustment elements of optical components in the high-pressure area of the measurement medium.