To enable to manufacture high-quality optical glass wherein striae, devitrification, discoloration, etc., are inhibited, and to extend the life of a melting tank.

The optical glass manufacturing apparatus (method) is equipped with the melting tank 20 for melting a glass raw material and an electrode 21 which is dipped downward into a molten glass G in the melting tank 20 to perform ohmic heating of the molten glass G. Here, submergence depth of the electrode 21 in the molten glass G is adjustable. The electrode 21 is dipped into the molten glass G so that a space is left between the lower tip of the electrode 21 and the bottom of the melting tank 20 to enable to circulate the molten glass G and that the distance A between the lower tip of the electrode 21 and the bottom of the melting tank 20 becomes <1/4 of the depth B of the molten glass G.