Abstract Over the last decade, the emerging field of nanomedicine has undergone rapid progresses. Different internal and external stimuli like pH, temperature, radiation, ultrasound or light have been introduced to expand the diagnostic and therapeutic options of various applications within the field. This review focuses on the novel application of light in the field of nanomedicine as a mechanism to control drug delivery, release and biochemical and genetic functionality at the target. The field of functional nanomaterials for medicine, and in particular of light responsive nanocarriers, polymers and biomolecules offer new therapeutic options but also requires substantial further research to render this approach broadly applicable in clinical practice.