As a consequence of optical absorption, the temperature of an optical component submitted to high power laser flux increases. The temperature field is known to be non uniform, this leads to a distribution of stresses which may damage the system for temperatures well below the melting point.Assuming linear, isotropic and homogeneous materials, thermal strains and stresses have been calculated in a semi infinite medium under an axisymmetric steady state distribution of temperature.Taking into account interfacial stresses, analytical expressions for the stress fields have been developed for a film bonded to a substrate and submitted to a long time laser irradiation. Last, the results are discussed and compared to observed degradation steps.