LENS ASSEMBLY

A lens assembly includes a lens having an inner surface and an outer surface. A lens barrel supports the lens and has outer and inner lens barrel ends separated by a longitudinal axis. The lens is arranged along the longitudinal axis to span the outer lens barrel end such that the inner surface of the lens is within the lens barrel and the outer surface of the lens is outside the lens barrel. A heater element is located within the lens barrel. The heater element has a heater element electrical lead extending radially and longitudinally therefrom to provide power to the heater element. A carrier ring extends circumferentially around at least a portion of an outside lens barrel surface adjacent the inner lens barrel end. The carrier ring includes at least one lead station radially aligned with the heater element electrical lead.