Apparatus and a method for inspecting a light transmissive optical component

An apparatus for inspecting a light transmissive optical component, comprising:

• an image capturing module arranged on a first side of a support configured to hold a light transmissive optical component whilst it is being inspected;
• one or more first illuminating means arranged on the first side of the support and adapted to illuminate from a first side of a light transmissive optical component held by said support;
• one or more second illuminating means arranged on a second side of the support and adapted to illuminate from a second side of the light transmissive optical component held by said support, the second side of the support opposing the first side of said support;
• one or more third illuminating means arranged on the second side of the support and adapted to provide transmissive illumination at the second side of the light transmissive optical component held by the support, the third illuminating means comprises one or more of an illuminating surface and a light blocking surface selectively operable and are arranged to face and substantially align with the second illuminating means on the second side of the support;
• wherein the one or more first illuminating means, the one or more second illuminating means, and the one or more third illuminating means are adapted to be selectively switched on to enable the image capturing module to capture one or more bright field images and dark field images of the light transmissive optical component held by the support.