Embodiments of the present disclosure provides a method for non-invasively modifying, maintaining, or controlling local tissue optical properties. The method of the disclosure may be used for optically clearing tissue, for example, for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. The method comprise contacting the tissue with an optical clearing device applying a mechanical force to the tissue, and illuminating said tissue with at least one wavelength of light through the optical clearing device. The method may further comprise controlling the temperature of the tissue illuminated.
