a method and apparatus for image sharpening in confocal microscopy or endoscopy observation , the method comprising : collecting true confocal return light from an observational field of an object ; focussing the true confocal return light into a core of a fiber wave - guide ; collecting near confocal return light from a volume partially overlapping the observational field ; focussing the near confocal return light so as to be transmitted principally in a cladding of the fiber wave - guide ; separately detecting the true confocal return light and the near confocal return light to produce a true confocal output signal and a near confocal output signal ; and adjusting the true confocal output signal on the basis of the near confocal output signal to substantially eliminate from the true confocal output signal a component due to the near confocal output signal ; whereby the effective volume of the observational field is reduced and the resolution is effectively increased .