Seeing for yourself: feasibility study towards valuing visual impairment using simulation spectacles

Elicitation of utilities from members of the public generally uses verbal description of health states. This paper reports the results of a small-scale time trade-off study on the feasibility of an alternative approach, where health states were simulated using plastic spectacles. This approach has methodological implications for the valuation exercise, in that many respondents find it difficult to conceive of visual impairment alone, without referring to their own current health. We conclude that it is feasible to simulate visual impairment in valuation exercises, but care must be taken to ensure what health state is effectively being valued. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.