1. A computer implemented method for real-time image quality optimization of a virtual microscope slide image, comprising: identifying a set of focus points corresponding to a tissue sample on a microscope slide; calculating a best fit surface from the set of focus points; determining the distance of each focus point from the best fit surface; identifying the maximum distance of any focus point from the best fit surface; comparing the identified maximum distance of any focus point to a predetermined threshold distance to identify one or more outlier focus points; modifying the set of focus points; determining a focal surface in accordance with the modified set of focus points; and scanning the tissue sample on the microscope slide in accordance with the modified set of focus points.