A variable-angle, wide-angle illuminator comprises: a light source providing a light beam； an optical cable for receiving/transmitting the light beam； a handpiece； an optical fiber to receive/transmit the light beam； an optical assembly for receiving the light beam and providing it to illuminate a surgical field； and a cannula for housing and directing the optical assembly. The optical assembly can comprise a fiber/polymer-dispersed-liquid-crystal ('PDLC') diffuser coupled to an optical needle or a nested compound parabolic concentrator cone. The light beam is emitted from the distal end of the optical fiber and provided to the PDLC diffuser and then a needle or fiber for transmission to the surgical site. The degree of diffusion of the light beam at the PDLC diffuser can be electrically controlled.
