'Mouseyes': an aid to wound measurement using a computer

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of an image-area and perimeter-length measurement system consisting of a personal computer with integral mouse device and a computer program, 'Mouseyes', written for the purpose. The study was designed to see how image area, perimeter length and curvature affected the overall accuracy and reproducibility of measurement. Five volunteers (three male, four right-handed, one left-handed) were recruited to carry out the task of digitising a series of 12 shapes of known dimensions. The difference between derived and true image measurements were investigated. The accuracy and reproducibility of area measurement increased with increasing area magnitude. Digitised areas were typically calculated with an error of 1.3% or less. The coefficient of variation was less than 2%, indicating a high reproducibility of measurement; the greatest inaccuracies and variability occurred with smaller sizes. The system has been proved to be a reliable, accurate and reproducible method for the measurement of irregularly shaped areas and linear dimensions.