EXHIBIT 23.1


CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement 
(Form S-8 No. 33-74716) pertaining to the Uniphase Corporation 1984 
Amended and Restated Stock Plan, the 1993 Flexible Stock Incentive Plan, 
the 1993 Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan; the 
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-31722) pertaining to the Uniphase 
Corporation Amended and Restated 1993 Flexible Stock Incentive Plan; the 
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-09937) pertaining to the Uniphase 
Telecommunications Products, Inc. 1995 Flexible Stock Incentive Plan; the 
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-39423) pertaining to the Uniphase 
Corporation Amended and Restated 1993 Flexible Stock Incentive Plan and 
the 1996 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan; the Registration Statement (Form 
S-8 No. 333-62465) pertaining to the Uniphase Corporation 1998 Employee 
Stock Purchase Plan and the Amended and Restated 1993 Flexible Stock 
Incentive Plan; and the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-27931) of 
Uniphase Corporation and in the related Prospectus of our report dated 
January 7, 1999, with respect to the supplemental consolidated financial 
statements and schedule of Uniphase Corporation included in the Current 
Report on the Form 8-K dated January 7, 1999, filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission.


                                           \s\  Ernst & Young LLP

San Jose, California
January 7, 1999