phototherapy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Medical/Technical
Quick answer
What does “phototherapy” mean?
A medical treatment using specific wavelengths of light to treat various conditions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical treatment using specific wavelengths of light to treat various conditions.
Any therapeutic application of light, including for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), skin diseases like psoriasis or eczema, neonatal jaundice, and certain mood disorders.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. No significant difference in usage or meaning.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK medical literature historically due to pioneering work on neonatal phototherapy, but overall usage is identical in modern contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “phototherapy” in a Sentence
The patient underwent phototherapy FOR [condition].Phototherapy was used TO TREAT [condition].[Condition] was treated WITH phototherapy.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “phototherapy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The consultant decided to phototherapy the newborn.
- They phototherapied the patient for three weeks.
American English
- The doctor chose to phototherapy the infant.
- We phototherapied the rash successfully.
adverb
British English
- The child was treated phototherapeutically.
American English
- The device works phototherapeutically.
adjective
British English
- The phototherapy lamp needs calibrating.
- She is on a phototherapy regimen.
American English
- The phototherapy unit arrived today.
- He has a phototherapy schedule.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Frequently used in medical and psychology research papers.
Everyday
Rare in everyday conversation unless discussing a specific medical condition.
Technical
Common in dermatology, psychiatry, paediatrics, and photomedicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “phototherapy”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “phototherapy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “phototherapy”
- Mispronouncing the 'th' as /t/ (e.g., /ˌfoʊ.toʊˈter.ə.pi/).
- Confusing it with 'photodynamic therapy' (a more specific type).
- Using it to refer to tanning or recreational light exposure.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Phototherapy uses controlled, specific wavelengths of light for a medical purpose under professional supervision. Sunbeds use broad-spectrum UV for cosmetic tanning and carry significant cancer risks.
Yes, for certain chronic conditions like psoriasis or SAD, home phototherapy units can be prescribed after initial training and under ongoing medical supervision.
Common side effects can include temporary skin redness, dryness, itching, and, with UV light, an increased risk of skin aging and cancer with long-term use. It must be carefully managed.
Session length varies greatly by condition and light type, ranging from a few minutes for UV treatments to 30-60 minutes for bright light therapy for SAD.
A medical treatment using specific wavelengths of light to treat various conditions.
Phototherapy is usually medical/technical in register.
Phototherapy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfəʊ.təʊˈθer.ə.pi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfoʊ.t̬oʊˈθer.ə.pi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PHOTO (light) + THERAPY (treatment) = treatment with light.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIGHT AS MEDICINE
Practice
Quiz
Phototherapy is LEAST likely to be used for which condition?