A scanning display optical system is disclosed that can optically correct the
distortion
of images formed by two-dimensional scanning of a light beam. The scanning display
optical system comprises a deflection device deflecting a light beam from a light
source two-dimensionally and an image-forming optical system forming an image with
the light beam deflected by the deflection device. A direction from which the light
beam coming from the light source is incident on the deflection device is oblique
with respect to at least one of the two deflection axes of the deflection device.
The image-forming optical system includes an optical element which is tilted and/or
shifted with respect to a center axis of a two-dimensional deflection range over
which the light beam is deflected by the deflection device.