The invention relates to a method for the detection of objects in a detection region, wherein at least one transmitted light bundle is transmitted into the detection region, transmitted light reflected back or remitted back from an object, when present, is detected by a receiver unit having reception elements arranged in the form of an M×N matrix, wherein M>1 and N>1, and the distance of the object is determined by triangulation from the position of the at least one light patch produced by the reflected or remitted light at the receiver unit. In addition to the position of the reflected or remitted light, the two-dimensional energy distribution of the at least one received light patch within the light incident on the receiver unit is evaluated to determine further information on the object in addition to the distance of the object determined by triangulation, with a light patch quality value being determined which includes information on the homogeneity of the light reflected or remitted at the object. The invention furthermore relates to an optical sensor for the carrying out of a method in accordance with the invention.