The surface quality of an optical component is an evaluation of the surface imperfections that may be caused in the manufacturing or handling process. In most cases these defects have little to no adverse effect on the overall system performance in imaging or light gathering applications; only small reductions in throughput and small increases in scattered light are typical. There are certain surfaces, however, that are more sensitive to these defects such as surfaces at image planes because these defects are in focus and surfaces that see high power levels because these defects can cause increased absorption of energy and damage the optic.