A laser structure is provided with two current confining layers of a material that is subject to oxidation in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The laser structure is shaped to expose edges of the current confining layers to permit the edges to be exposed to the oxidizing agent. The current confining layers are oxidized selectively to create electrically resistive material at the oxidized portions and electrically conductive material at the unoxidized portions. The unoxidized portions of the layers are surrounded by the oxidized and electrically resistive portions in order to direct current from one electrical contact pad by passing through a preselected portion of an active region of the laser. The laser structure can be a vertical cavity surface emitting laser. The device achieves the current confining and directing function without the need to use ion bombardment or implantation to provide the current confining structure within the body of the laser.