An optical sensing head, which is for reading out an optical data memory, has a substrate with a main surface. An edge-emitting laser component is configured on the main surface of the substrate and has irradiation axis oriented essentially parallel to the first main plane. A deflection device is arranged on the main surface of the substrate and deflects the laser radiation in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the main surface. At least one signal detector is provided for sensing the laser radiation that is reflected by the optical data memory. An optical element guides the deflected laser radiation to the optical data memory and guides reflected laser radiation to the signal detector. The optical element is connected to the substrate by at least one supporting element. The invention also includes a method for fabricating such a sensing head.