In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an optical disc
having a reduced planar thickness is provided. In accordance with a
particular embodiment of the present invention, the optical disc includes
a central clamping area that defines a central aperture operable to be
engaged by a spindle mechanism of an optical disc drive, an
optically-readable data storage area substantially surrounding the
central clamping area, the optically-readable data storage area having a
planar thickness of less than 1.20 mm, and one or more stacker elements
coupled to, or integral with, the central clamping area, the stacker
elements configured to increase the thickness of the central clamping
area above the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage
area. In particular embodiments, the optical disc may further include a
magnetic stripe disposed upon one surface of the optical disc.