Photomedicine
Photomedicine
Photomedicine (pronounced: fo-to-medicine) is a branch of medicine that involves the study and application of light with respect to health and disease.
Etymology
The term "Photomedicine" is derived from the Greek words "photos" meaning light and "medicine" from the Latin "mederi" meaning to heal or cure.
Definition
Photomedicine is a scientific field that focuses on the effects of electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, visible light, and infrared light, on the human body. It encompasses a variety of medical disciplines, including dermatology, ophthalmology, and cardiology.
Applications
Photomedicine has a wide range of applications. It is used in the treatment of various skin diseases, such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and acne, through phototherapy. It is also used in photodynamic therapy for the treatment of cancer. In addition, photomedicine plays a crucial role in laser surgery, medical imaging, and optical diagnostics.
Related Terms
- Phototherapy: A type of treatment that uses light to treat certain conditions.
- Photodynamic therapy: A treatment that uses light-sensitive drugs and light to destroy cancer cells.
- Laser surgery: A type of surgery that uses a laser (a strong beam of light) to cut, burn, or destroy tissue.
- Medical imaging: The technique and process of creating visual representations of the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention.
- Optical diagnostics: The use of light to diagnose diseases.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Photomedicine
- Wikipedia's article - Photomedicine
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