Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a method for detecting defects in an optical fiber. The method includes obtaining an image of the optical fiber and separating a portion of the image for processing. A blob threshold is determined to isolate a blob in the portion of the image and characteristics of the portion of the image are adjusted to enhance detection of the blob. One or more blobs are detected in the image and a characteristic of the detected blobs is compared to blob criteria. The optical fiber is failed if the blob criteria are not met.