Microscopic imaging methods are valuable tools to analyze damage morphologies of laser optics for ns and fs applications. In the fs-regime, the morphology of TiO2/SiO2 coatings with modified field strength distributions were investigated, whereby a characteristic morphology was caused by the special designed vertical field strength profile, depending on the local power density. In the ns-regime, the morphology of the damage sites has shown significant differences between the quarter wave stacks and the gradual index systems without abrupt interfaces in the functional layers. Typically, these Rugate high reflectors did not show catastrophic damage. Rather the damage becomes apparent by the creation of colour centres.