phototherapyn.
/ˌfəʊtəʊˈθɛrəpi/, U.S. /ˌfoʊdoʊˈθɛrəpi/ Medical treatment using light, esp. by exposing a patient to light of specific wavelengths or intensity, or by the combined use of photoactive drugs and light (cf. photodynamic therapy n. at photodynamic adj. Compounds).
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the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatment by light > [noun]
light cure1892
phototherapy1899
light therapy1900
actinotherapy1901
phototherapeutics1901
actinotherapeutics1909
sunray1921
photocoagulation1958
photochemotherapy1974
1899 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 30 Sept. 825/1 (heading) Remarks on Finsen's phototherapy.
1903 Westm. Gaz. 24 June 9/1 The new cure of lupus by phototherapy has been most successful.
1928 Man 28 60 The absorption of ultra-violet light in connection with photo-therapy.
1972 Science 21 Jan. 324/1 A phototherapy method whereby the infant is exposed to blue light for long periods of time.
1993 D. Lamb Sense of Place 87 No one can adequately explain the effectiveness of phototherapy on SAD, but one theory holds that bright light..blocks the release of the hormone melatonin, which is secreted at night in the brain and is associated with depression.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1899