A system for the laser beam deflection for optical measuring systems includes an optical element for the deflection of an incident laser beam and a driving unit for generating a rotational movement between the optical element and the incident laser beam in order to deflect the laser beam in different successive directions. The optical element includes at least two segments for the deflection of the incident laser beam by one fixed deflection angle respectively. During the rotational movement, the laser beam successively impinges on the different segments. The optical element has a disk-shaped or ring-shaped design, and the segments are wedge-shaped with inclined surfaces. In the case of a method for the laser beam deflection, a laser beam impinging in an offset manner with respect to the axis of rotation is deflected during a time period by each segment into precisely one defined direction.