An optical probe has a tubular outer envelope (11), and a shaft (12) rotatable about a rotating axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the outer envelope. A light guide (13) disposed to extend along the shaft is connected to the shaft at its leading end portion, a light deflector (15) connected to the leading end portion of the light guide deflects light radiated from the leading end portion of the light guide, and a collecting lens (14) converges light radiated from the light deflector outside the outer envelope. Light emitted from the light deflector is scanned along the outer envelope in response to movement of the shaft and the light deflector is connected to the shaft in a position deviated from the axis of rotation of the shaft and is movable relatively to the shaft so that the direction of light deflected by the light deflector can be changed in this position.
