A light illumination system that includes a light-diffusing optical fiber capable of multimode operation in a wavelength range from 300 to 3000 nm; and a laser light source comprising a control element and a laser diode having a cavity. The laser light source is configured to produce a laser light output in response to an injection current input. In addition, the laser light source is arranged in proximity to the light-diffusing optical fiber such that the laser light output is coupled into the optical fiber. Further, the control element is arranged to reduce speckle in the laser light output by modulating the injection current input at a modulation frequency of 30 Hz or greater.