A laser video endoscope for ophthalmologic surgery comprising a hand piece and a hollow rigid probe extending distally of the hand piece that can be adapted to pass through a 23 gauge (0.64 mm) sleeve, the probe comprising: a distal portion, and a proximal portion, the proximal portion extending into the hand piece, wherein: said distal portion of said probe having approximately a 25 mil (0.64 mm) outer diameter, approximately a 2 mil (0.05mm) thick sidewall and approximately a 710 mil (18 mm) length, said proximal portion of said probe having at least an approximately 35 mil (0.89mm) outer diameter and at least an approximately five mil (0.1 mm) thick sidewall, and wherein the laser video endoscope further comprises: a laser guide fiber wherein the laser guide fiber is approximately 100 microns (0.1 mm) in diameter, an imaging component wherein the imaging component is approximately 14 mils (0.36mm) in diameter, and an illumination fiber bundle wherein said illumination bundle comprises approximately 210 fibers, and wherein within said approximately 2 mil (0.05mm) thick sidewall of said distal portion: the laser guide fiber has a cross sectional first surface, the imaging component has an essentially contiguous circular cross sectional second surface, and the illumination fiber bundle surrounds the laser guide fiber and the imaging component, and the first surface and the second surface do not overlap. a distal portion, and a proximal portion, the proximal portion extending into the hand piece, wherein: said distal portion of said probe having approximately a 25 mil (0.64 mm) outer diameter, approximately a 2 mil (0.05mm) thick sidewall and approximately a 710 mil (18 mm) length, said proximal portion of said probe having at least an approximately 35 mil (0.89mm) outer diameter and at least an approximately five mil (0.1 mm) thick sidewall, and wherein the laser video endoscope further comprises: a laser guide fiber wherein the laser guide fiber is approximately 100 microns (0.1 mm) in diameter, an imaging component wherein the imaging component is approximately 14 mils (0.36mm) in diameter, and an illumination fiber bundle wherein said illumination bundle comprises approximately 210 fibers, and wherein within said approximately 2 mil (0.05mm) thick sidewall of said distal portion: the laser guide fiber has a cross sectional first surface, the imaging component has an essentially contiguous circular cross sectional second surface, and the illumination fiber bundle surrounds the laser guide fiber and the imaging component, and the first surface and the second surface do not overlap. said distal portion of said probe having approximately a 25 mil (0.64 mm) outer diameter, approximately a 2 mil (0.05mm) thick sidewall and approximately a 710 mil (18 mm) length, said proximal portion of said probe having at least an approximately 35 mil (0.89mm) outer diameter and at least an approximately five mil (0.1 mm) thick sidewall, and wherein the laser video endoscope further comprises: a laser guide fiber wherein the laser guide fiber is approximately 100 microns (0.1 mm) in diameter, an imaging component wherein the imaging component is approximately 14 mils (0.36mm) in diameter, and an illumination fiber bundle wherein said illumination bundle comprises approximately 210 fibers, and wherein within said approximately 2 mil (0.05mm) thick sidewall of said distal portion: the laser guide fiber has a cross sectional first surface, the imaging component has an essentially contiguous circular cross sectional second surface, and the illumination fiber bundle surrounds the laser guide fiber and the imaging component, and the first surface and the second surface do not overlap. a laser guide fiber wherein the laser guide fiber is approximately 100 microns (0.1 mm) in diameter, an imaging component wherein the imaging component is approximately 14 mils (0.36mm) in diameter, and an illumination fiber bundle wherein said illumination bundle comprises approximately 210 fibers, and wherein within said approximately 2 mil (0.05mm) thick sidewall of said distal portion: the laser guide fiber has a cross sectional first surface, the imaging component has an essentially contiguous circular cross sectional second surface, and the illumination fiber bundle surrounds the laser guide fiber and the imaging component, and the first surface and the second surface do not overlap. the laser guide fiber has a cross sectional first surface, the imaging component has an essentially contiguous circular cross sectional second surface, and the illumination fiber bundle surrounds the laser guide fiber and the imaging component, and the first surface and the second surface do not overlap.