Abstract: An optical switching apparatus includes a housing having a base and sidewalls with an optical device disposed within the housing for directing optical energy between a first optical waveguides disposed within a first optical passageway formed in the sidewalls and second and third optical waveguides disposed within a second optical passageway formed in the sidewalls. Focusing means, such as collimating lenses, are mounted on the sidewall for focusing the optical energy into the optical waveguides. The optical waveguides are positioned at the focal plane of the respective lenses with the first and second optical waveguides being disposed on the optical axes of their respective collimating lenses. The optical device may be an acousto-optic switch for selectively directing optical energy into the optical passageways. The optical switching apparatus may be used in an optical time domain reflectometer for selectively blocking high amplitude Fresnel reflections from passing through the optical device.