OPTICAL CONNECTOR AND ARRANGEMENT HAVING ONE OR MORE TRANSMISSION SURFACES AND A SURFACE WIPER

Optical connector includes a ferrule body having a side face. The optical connector also includes a ferrule lens that is coupled to the ferrule body and positioned along the side face. The ferrule lens is configured to align with a lens of a communication device for communicating optical signals therebetween. The optical connector also includes a surface wiper that is coupled to and extends away from the side face. The surface wiper has a height relative to the side face that is greater than a height of the ferrule lens. The surface wiper is configured to at least one of flex or compress when engaging the lens of the communication device during a side-mating operation.