An optical mouse for controlling a cursor on a display. The mouse emits a light beam that interacts with a target surface and receives reflected light therefrom to detect movement of the mouse. The mouse includes a housing, a single-mode VCSEL disposed within the housing for emitting the light beam through a surface of the housing, the emitted light interacting with the target surface, a photodetector disposed within the housing that receives the light reflected from the target surface and that provides an electrical output and a processor that receives the electrical output and calculates a value that is indicative of the amount and direction of movement of the optical mouse relative to the target surface.