The health burden of chronic wounds is increasing at an alarming rate corresponding to the increase in the elderly and diabetic population. It is estimated that approximately 1% of the total health care costs in the western world are likely to be used for the management of chronic leg ulcers. This chapter reviews the optical methodologies that have been used mostly in a pre-clinical, research setting for the characterization of chronic wounds. Chronic wounds include diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers and pressure ulcers that do not heal within 4 weeks. The technologies covered include: