I had cataract surgery a couple of years ago. What a difference!
I have been very nearsighted for most of my 67 years and wore contact lenses for over 50 years (I hated glasses) -- started out with the hard plastic lenses that you had to clean and sterilize every night and ended with the extended-wear 30-day disposable lenses. After I turned 60, I started to suffer from the dreaded, but inevitable presbytopia requiring readers, mostly in low light.
About that time, my eye doc said I was also developing cataracts (earlier than most, but because of my nearsightedness, it wasn't uncommon), but that I could probably make it to my Medicare years. The only problem was that cataract surgery does not address presbytopia, and that I would probably still require readers. Bummer. However, I learned there were multi-focal options and discussed it with my regular doctor and the doctor performing the surgery. I was informed that Medicare and/or health insurance only covers single-vision, since multi-focus is still a fairly new technology and considered 'experimental'. Considering this would affect the quality of the rest of my life, I was willing to splurge on the added expense and I am glad I did.
I got the Symfony Toric lens on the recommendation of my surgeon since they would also address my astigmatism. It was money well-spent IMO. My vision went from 20/750, 20/700 to 20/20, 20/15. I don't think my vision has ever been that good. Even with contact lenses, it was more in the 20/30 - 20/50 range. And for the first time in decades, I have not had to stick something in my eyes.