1. A method comprising the steps of: moving a probe in proximity to an object, wherein the probe provides light to a surface of the object and receives light from the object, wherein light is provided from the probe by a light source and light is received by one or more light receivers, wherein the light source and each of the one or more light receivers define a critical height from the surface below which no specularly reflected light from the light source is received by the one or more light receivers; determining the intensity of light received by the one or more light receivers; measuring the optical characteristics of the object, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object; and determining data indicative of whether a cable coupled between the probe and a unit for measuring the optical characteristics is under a condition of flex, wherein the data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object is adjusted based on the determined data.