A system and process for treating retinal diseases includes passing a plurality of radiant beams, i.e., laser light beams, through an optical lens or mask to optically shape the beams. The shaped beams are applied to at least a portion of the retina. Due to the selected parameters of the beams - pulse length, power and duty cycle - the beams can be applied to substantially the entire retina, including the fovea, without damaging retinal or foveal tissue, while still attaining the benefits of retinal phototherapy or photostimulation.