A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, a plurality of actuation controls of the handle, a flexible housing tube having a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end, and an optic fiber disposed within an inner bore of the handle and the flexible housing tube. The optical distribution node includes a laser transmitter coupleable to a fiber optic link that transmits upstream, digital data to a head end of the network. The neckband and the generally flat surface of the housing are generally coplanar, and have an elastic force in a direction that causes the neckband and the generally flat surface of the housing to return to the coplanar arrangement. Adapters can be disposed between the probe needles and the chips. The cutout most simply may be a sector of a circle having a different angular range which constrains a projecting tooth on the shaft of the switch or knob attached to the shaft of the switch.