Direct-bonded lamination for improved image clarity in optical devices is provided. An example process planarizes and plasma-activates optical surfaces to be laminated together, then forms direct bonds between the two surfaces without an adhesive or adhesive layer. This process provides improved optics with higher image brightness, less light scattering, better resolution, and higher image fidelity. The direct bonds also provide a refractory interface tolerant of much higher temperatures than conventional optical adhesives. The example process can be used to produce many types of improved optical components, such as improved laminated lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, collimators, prism systems, optical conduits, and mirrored waveguides for smartglasses and head-up displays (HUDs), which provide better image quality and elimination of the dark visual lines that are apparent to a human viewer when conventional adhesives are used in conventional lamination.