The invention relates to a method for operating an optical proximity switch, wherein an object distance E is determined by means of a time-of-flight method and a specified range is limited by an adjustable switching distance SAE. The switching output (6) is activated at an object distance E1 SAE+H(SAE), wherein a hysteresis H (SAE,R) depending on the switching distance SAE and on a reflectivity R is stored in the proximity switch, and, after the switching output (6) has been activated, the reflectivity R of the object is determined in addition to the object distance E2 and the switching output (6) is deactivated again only when the condition E2>SAE+H(SAE,R) is satisfied. The invention further relates to an optical proximity switch for performing the method according to the invention.