end surface 33 of optical fiber 31 the distal end portion buffer coating 35 having earlier been removed has been beveled at an angle of about 35 u00b0 to 45 u00b0 preferably about 38 u00b0 to 40 u00b0 distal end surface 33 is encased in a closed ended capillary tube 37 the proximal end of which is sealed about bare optical fiber 31 by thermal fusion or an adhesive as known in the art and whose distal end has been closed by thermal fusing capillary tube 37 provides an air interface opposite the beveled distal end surface 33 of optical fiber 31 which is necessary for substantially total internal reflection of light energy laterally from the axis of optical fiber 31 preferably sheath 36 is coextensive with optical fiber 31 i e extends from the distal end of handpiece 34 fully over optical fiber 31 to provide superior stability and a smooth contiguous outer surface as can be seen opening or port 38 in sheath 36 allows laser energy to be emitted laterally as indicated by arrows 39 fig4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the laser energy delivery component 40 of the apparatus of the present invention as shown the distal end of optical fiber 41 extends partially through tip 42 and.