The present invention provides devices and methods for applying radiation to theretina of a patient. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a radiation sourcefor generating a radiation beam suitable for absorption by retinal pigment epithelialcells. One or more optical components are included to direct the beam onto theretina. A scanner is optically coupled to the radiation source to control movementof the beam in two dimensions to allow a scan over the retina. A controller appliescontrol signals to the scanner to adjust beam movement to illuminate a pluralityof retinal locations in a temporal sequence according to a predefined pattern.The device can be operated in one mode to effect selective targeting of retinalpigment epithelial cells, or in another mode to effect thermal photocoagulation ofthe retina.
