Chronic oedema can significantly impair a person's quality of life (QoL). QoL assessment tools can be used in routine clinical practice or in research projects e.g. clinical trials. The characteristics of the different types of tool are discussed. A number of QoL measures have been used in studies of chronic oedema both generic instruments such as SF-36 and condition-specific tools e.g. ULL-27. Currently there is no standard validated QoL tool for chronic oedema used in routine clinical practice in the UK to assess individuals, plan care and measure the outcome of treatment. Possible options for this are considered.