Patent ID: 7982972

Claim:
An image observation apparatus comprising: a first image-forming element and a second image-forming element each of which forms an original image; and an optical system configured to introduce light fluxes from the first and second image-forming elements to an exit pupil position of the optical system where an eye of an observer is placed, wherein the optical system includes an optical surface as a single surface that reflects the light flux from the first image-forming element and transmits the light flux from the second image-forming element and, on the optical surface, combines the light flux from the first image-forming element and the light flux from the second image-forming element, wherein the first image-forming element and the second image-forming element respectively form a first original image and a second original image that correspond to different viewing fields from the exit pupil position, and wherein, when an axis extending from the center of the exit pupil to the center of the different viewing fields is defined as a first axis, in a section formed by a light ray from the first image-forming element through the first axis to the exit pupil position of the optical system, the first original image and the second original image are formed so that the different viewing fields are shifted relative to each other in the direction perpendicular to the first axis.