Abstract Optical microscopy is an advanced method in modern healthcare. While advances in optical microscopy allow doctors to visualize biomedical applications in unprecedented detail, the analysis of these images remains subjective, important to inter- and intraobserver discrepancy. In spite of this, conventional microscopy images capture only qualitative information which makes it difficult to automate the process, decreasing the throughput achievable in the diagnostic workflow. Nowadays, Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI) modalities have been advanced to overcome these two challenges. By quantifying physical parameters of biomedical applications, these techniques remove subjectivity from the disease diagnosis process and allow for easier automation to increase throughput. We focus on the areas of biomedical applications, where most significant advances have been made to date.