Knowledge Base › Troubleshooting Atlas › Digital pathology
Coverslip glare or bubbles degrading scans
Also known as: coverslip artifacts, bubbles in scans
Glare appears as bright spots or streaks on the scanned image, while bubbles create circular distortions. Both degrade the quality of digital scans.
Where it usually appears: Typically seen during the scanning process of glass slides, especially under high magnification.
- Improper coverslipping technique
- Moisture trapped under the coverslip
- Dust or debris on the slide
- Incompatible mounting medium
- Inspect the coverslip for bubbles or dust
- Check the slide surface for cleanliness
- Examine the mounting medium for proper application
- Remove and replace the coverslip
- Re-scan the slide after correcting the issue
- Ensure proper drying of the mounting medium before scanning
- Train staff on proper coverslipping techniques
- Use high-quality mounting media
- Regularly clean scanning equipment
This atlas is for educational purposes for laboratory professionals. It does not replace your institutional SOPs, manufacturer instructions, validated protocols or pathologist judgment. Adapt any action to your laboratory and equipment.
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