What are the limitations of super resolution microscopy?

There are also various limitations of super-resolution microscopy, particularly as resolution increases. As these microscopes image more detailed samples, the availability of the responding fluorochromes decreases, necessitating the production of new fluorochromes with superior quantum yields. At higher resolutions, vibrations and spherical aberrations also occur. Another limitation is that certain live samples are more negatively affected by this technology than others due to high excitation intensities or prolonged exposure times. Eventually, there is a point of decreasing yields due to the stress imposed on samples and its negative impact on reliable data becomes more significant than the advantages gained from reaching a greater resolution. There is also a lack of flexibility in these systems. These systems are often challenging to adapt if experimental protocols are altered midway. The quality of the images produced may also vary greatly, as images generated at the same resolution may appear significantly different in detail. Lastly, the cost of these systems can be more than double the price of a confocal imaging system.