A visual inspection system (100, 200) for optical fibers (150) includes at least a pattern source (120, 220A, 220B, 220C, 520); at least a first illumination source (130, 230A, 230B, 230C, 510, 522) to direct light towards an optical fiber (150); and at least a first camera (140, 240A, 240B, 240C, 540) positioned at an opposite side of the fiber (150) from the pattern source (120, 220A, 220B, 220C, 520). At least one image (170, 180, 190) of the optical fiber (150) is taken and a pattern visible through the optical fiber (150) in the image (170, 180, 190) may be analyzed to detect distortions in the pattern.