Handbook of Biomedical Optics

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34.1 Introduction

In contrast to most of the chapters of this handbook, this chap-

ter will address a therapeutic, rather than diagnostic, application

of biomedical optics. e therapeutic eects of light have been

appreciated since ancient times. Exposure to light has eects on

health ranging from mood and psychological eects and pro-

duction of vitamin D to UV damage and the induction of cancer.

e majority of these eects can be reproduced or enhanced with

articial light. e term photodynamic therapy, however, refers

specically to photochemical reactions mediated by a pharma-

cological or endogenously generated photosensitizer. Becaus