The apparatus and methods of the present invention in a broad aspect provide novel visualization platforms for performing enhanced visually directed procedures on target objects or tissues under low ambient light conditions. The visualization platforms can be included with or retro-fit to existing optical systems such as stereomicroscopes and include at least one high resolution photosensor capable of acquiring a plurality of optical views of the target object or tissue in at least one wavelength outside of the wavelengths of normal visible light. A resultant real-time high resolution video signal is transmitted from the photosensor to at least one high resolution video display that can be viewed by the apparatus or process operator.