Abstract: A multi-spot ophthalmic laser device that produces spatially distributed laser spots with spatial distribution of laser spots defined by a spot diameter to space ratio in the range 1:2 to 1:20. The device comprises: a laser module producing a laser pulse or sequence of laser pulses each having: a pulse duration in the range of 10 ps to 20 ?s; a wavelength in the range 500 nm to 900 nm; a pulse energy in the range 10 ?J to 10 mJ per pulse; and an optical beam profiling module that modifies an output beam profile of each pulse of the laser module to deliver multiple spatially distributed laser spots of defined size and energy. The device is used in a method of improving the function of the retina of a human eye by irradiation through the cornea to the retinal pigmented epithelium by a treatment laser having a beam profile with spatially distributed energy peaks.