An optical prosthesis that permits control of neural circuits comprises a probe having a set of light sources, drive circuit connections connected to each light source, a housing surrounding the light sources and drive circuit connections, and drive circuitry for driving and controlling the probe. The drive circuit connections and drive circuitry may optionally provide for wireless communication. The light sources may be light-emitting diodes, lasers, or other suitable sources. The device may optionally include sensors for monitoring the target cells. The present invention is also a multi-dimensional array of probes, each probe having a set of light sources, drive circuit connections connected to each light source, a housing surrounding the light sources and the drive circuit connections, drive circuitry for driving and controlling the probes, and supporting hardware that holds the probes in position with respect to each other and the target cells.