A method of performing an optical examination on a test object, the method comprising: obtaining a first detection light quantity distribution that is a detection light quantity distribution obtained for each of a plurality of optical models (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) that simulate the test object, by performing with a control system a simulation (S21, S51) where an optical sensor including an irradiation system and a detection system is virtually used, the irradiation system including at least one light irradiator, and the detection system including at least one photodetector to detect an amount of light that is emitted from the irradiation system to the test object and propagated inside the test object; the control system further obtaining, using the optical sensor, a second detection light quantity distribution that is a distribution of an amount of light detected on the test object; the control system selecting (S24, S54), based on the first light quantity distribution and the second detection light quantity distribution, an optical model suited to the test object from the plurality of optical models (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8); and the control system correcting the first detection light quantity distribution prior to the selecting (S24, S54); wherein the at least one photodetector comprises a plurality of photodetectors, in the simulation (S21, S51), the light irradiator and the plurality of photodetectors are virtually installed in the optical model in such a manner that at least two of the plurality of photodetectors are adjacent to the light irradiator, and in the step of correcting the first detection light quantity distribution the control system compares amounts of light rays that are emitted from the light irradiator to the optical model and have propagated through the optical model in the simulation (S21, S51), which are detected by the at least two photodetectors that are adjacent to the light irradiator, with each other, and corrects, based on a result of comparison, at least one of amounts of detection light detected by the at least two photodetectors. obtaining a first detection light quantity distribution that is a detection light quantity distribution obtained for each of a plurality of optical models (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) that simulate the test object, by performing with a control system a simulation (S21, S51) where an optical sensor including an irradiation system and a detection system is virtually used, the irradiation system including at least one light irradiator, and the detection system including at least one photodetector to detect an amount of light that is emitted from the irradiation system to the test object and propagated inside the test object; the control system further obtaining, using the optical sensor, a second detection light quantity distribution that is a distribution of an amount of light detected on the test object; the control system selecting (S24, S54), based on the first light quantity distribution and the second detection light quantity distribution, an optical model suited to the test object from the plurality of optical models (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8); and the control system correcting the first detection light quantity distribution prior to the selecting (S24, S54); wherein the at least one photodetector comprises a plurality of photodetectors, in the simulation (S21, S51), the light irradiator and the plurality of photodetectors are virtually installed in the optical model in such a manner that at least two of the plurality of photodetectors are adjacent to the light irradiator, and in the step of correcting the first detection light quantity distribution the control system compares amounts of light rays that are emitted from the light irradiator to the optical model and have propagated through the optical model in the simulation (S21, S51), which are detected by the at least two photodetectors that are adjacent to the light irradiator, with each other, and corrects, based on a result of comparison, at least one of amounts of detection light detected by the at least two photodetectors.