A foot control for use in a microsurgical system comprises a console, and a foot pedal for the user of the system which can be used either by the left or right foot during surgery. The foot pedal is disposed for movement in pitch by the user to selectively control at least a first linear function carried out by the system according to its operating modes and mode sequences and is disposed for movement in yaw by the user to selectively control at least a further linear function carried out by the system according to its operating modes and mode sequences. The foot control further has a plurality of foot-operated switch actuators for permitting user selection of modes and mode sequences by the system and a control circuit connected with the microsurgical system in a computer network for data communication with the microsurgical system. The control circuit electronically supervises foot pedal movements in both pitch or yaw and actuation of the foot-operated switch actuators and reports such movements and actuation to the microsurgical system for control accordingly of the microsurgical system in its operating modes. The control circuit communicates with the system for programming the foot pedal switch actuators and permits user control of operating modes and mode sequences of the system.