Stereo microscopy

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each of said first and second directions includes a component in the axial direction of the microscope.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of said first and second directions includes a component in the lateral direction of the microscope.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which an inverse filtering process is applied to the first and second images.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which relative movement between the sample holder and the focal point is controlled by a computer.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the processed first and second images are separated physically from one another for separate viewing.

A stereo microscopy apparatus including a microscope, a sample holder located in the vicinity of the focal point of the microscope drive means for providing relative movement between the sample holder and the focal point, an image gathering device arranged to collect microscopic images of objects at the focal point of the microscope, an image processing device, a display device and a control device that is constructed and arranged to control operation of the apparatus, said control device being programmed such that during operation, first and second microscopic images of an object in the sample holder are gathered by the image gathering device by means of first and second sequential exposures, relative movement between the sample holder and the focal point is provided in first and second directions during said first and second exposures respectively the first and second images are processed by the image processing device, and the processed first and second images are displayed substantially simultaneously by the display device for viewing separately by the left and right eyes respectively of an observer.