An optical device intended to be used as part of a video camera surgical microscope system to send magnified images of a surgical site, via a camera and appropriate hardware, to a monitor to facilitate visualization of the surgical site by the surgeon or for teaching applications. It is typically a housing containing a distal lens, fibreoptic cabling, and an illumination port. It is intended to be fixed (using a positioning arm) at an appropriate distance from the surgical site (e.g., 25-75cm), and is not intended to contact the patient. This is a reusable device intended to be sterilized prior to use.