Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope (1), in particular an ophthalmic surgical microscope having a vitreoretinal viewing system (6), an optics carrier (14) and a support (2). The invention also relates to a method and a motion controller controlling the movement of the vitreoretinal viewing system (6). The optics carrier (14) is attached movably to the support (2). The vitreoretinal viewing system (6) in turn is attached movably to the optics carrier (14). The vitreoretinal viewing system (6) comprises a front piece (30), such as a optics carrier (14). To avoid contact of the front piece (30) with an eye (16) while the optics carrier (14) is moved for focusing a microscope lens (18), the position of the front piece (30) is automatically maintained stationary with respect to the support (2). This is obtained by controlling the vitreoretinal viewing system (6) to perform a counter movement to the movement of the optics carrier (14).