Oh, boy, I hear you! I learned I had an Epiretinal Membrane when they were doing the measurements for my right eye cataract removal. That surgeon said if it didn’t bother me, not to worry. It did stop him from doing the triple implant - near/mid/far distance. Mine is mid and distance only. All seemed well for 2 years.
My optimetrist said removing the cataract “probably” didn’t affect my macular pucker. Some people have these for years and never know because their vision is fine.

Like you, I still wonder about the coincidence. We will never know.

Do you have the same issue with your other eye? I did end up having the other cataract done after the first. The left eye was successful. Hope yours will be, too.