A probe for obtaining quantitative optical properties and chromophore concentrations of tissue components in tissue in-vivo at superficial depths and at source-detector separations of 5 mm or less includes a source fiber providing light to expose the tissue, a diffuser layer into which light from the source fiber is directed and then from the diffuser layer to and/or into the tissue, and a detector fiber arranged relative to the diffuser layer for detecting backscattered and/or reflected light returned from the tissue without transmission through the diffuser layer.
