  This paper presents a novel framework for studying knotted and braided
configurations of optical fields, moving beyond the conventional Hopfion
solution based on the Hopf fibration. By employing the Seifert fibration, a
preferred framing is introduced to characterize the ``knottiness" of tubular
neighbourhoods of knots embedded in the 3-sphere. This approach yields a
specific presentation of Seifert surfaces and facilitates the description of
knotted optical fields, drawing on an enriched version of Ra\~{n}ada's
formulation. The relation between knots and braids enables one to explore the
connections between configurations generated experimentally through the
controlled over- and under-crossings of light beams, and concepts from
geometric group theory and algebraic topology. This framework, emphasizing the
significance of ``braided open books", sheds light on topological constraints
inherent in classes of braids suitable for representing interlaced optical
fields. These constraints primarily pertain to braids with $n\leq3$ strands --
aligning with existing experimental implementations -- and homogeneous braids
with any number of strands. This paper establishes a theoretical foundation for
understanding and manipulating knotted optical fields, suggesting potential
applications and avenues for further research in this domain.
