Connective-tissue disorders, which include lupus erythematosus, morphoea/scleroderma and
dermatomyositis, are characterized by cutaneous manifestations that are sometimes resistant to conventional
therapy. Light treatments, which include
phototherapy,
photodynamic therapy (
PDT) and
photopheresis, are routinely utilized in the treatment of dermatological conditions and may provide unique mechanisms of action in the treatment of these connective-tissue disorders. The objective of this study is to conduct a review of the literature that describes the use of
phototherapy,
PDT and
photopheresis in the treatment of lupus erythematosus, morphoea/scleroderma and
dermatomyositis. A MEDLINE search was conducted to find articles that discuss treatment of
connective-tissue diseases with
light therapies and more than 30 publications that discuss
light therapy for these diseases were identified. These range in design from case reports to randomized, prospective trials. Study outcomes and details were summarized and presented within each
connective-tissue disease by
light therapy modality, which includes
phototherapy,
PDT and
photopheresis. Although there is a known association between photosensitivity and
connective-tissue diseases,
light therapies, when used appropriately, may be legitimate therapeutic options for recalcitrant cutaneous manifestations in lupus erythematosus, morphoea/scleroderma and
dermatomyositis.