A new precise control scheme of the liquid crystal (LC) molecular orientation state in the nonuniform electric field is discussed. An extra controlling electrode is introduced outside of the conventional driving electrode in the LC cylinder lens and LC microlens, and the molecular orientation effects and related optical properties are investigated for various experimental conditions. The behavior of disclination lines is very important in this case as is in other LC cells which are utilizing the nonuniform electric field for the molecular orientation, and it strongly depends upon the rubbing direction and the driving condition. The degradation of lens properties. which is usually followed by a variable action such as variable focusing and/or beam steering, becomes very slow because the reduction of the effective lens aperture is restricted. Consequently, the variable range can be extended by the extra controlling electrode structure.