a lens implant that will allow me to thread a needle

Sort of - but, here are the stats ... over 3,500,000 cataract surgeries, and over 850,000 LASIK/PRK surgeries, in the US each year.

Average age for cataract surgery is about 70, while most LASIK/PRK is gone prior to around 50. So, the age differences would naturally lead to more issues with cataract surgery, but even the rate is around 2%.

So, while cataract surgeries are complicated and could always result in surgical issues, they are so incredibly common that is is relatively rare for there to be major issues.

I believe there will be more and more folks, especially those who don't like wearing glasses, and those who want better vision, who choose to spend a bit more in their 50s for a premium IOL implantation - and skip the LASIK/PRK completely. This is kind of a one and done thing in most cases - there will never be a cataract to remove. Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO) will continue to be an issue with everyone - this is handled with a simple Nd:YAG laser procedure - most people get this after cataract surgeries - again, and one and done.

Hello @1995victoria, I am not a medical expert but I think it may be possible to help you see closer with the right type of cataract lens. I talked with my Mayo eye surgeon prior to my cataract surgeries and explained my main concern was being able to drive without glasses so it was an easy choice for me to choose being able to see at distances rather than close up. I do need reading glasses for small print when shopping but that's about it. Here's an article that explains how to choose.

-- Choosing the Right Cataract Lens Option for Surgery
https://www.healthline.com/health/cataract-lens-options
My choice was easy. My eye surgeon asked if I wanted to see near or far distances and I chose far distances. Have you had a chance to discuss choices with your eye doctor or surgeon?

I don’t mean to appear dumb, but I have poor vision and am legally blind in right eye due to scarring from radial keratotomy surgery some 40 or so years ago! Had a cornea transplant in that right eye in 2003 but unsuccessful due to the incisions in my cornea opening up and requiring cornea stitches leading to severe astigmatism. Now, as far as the left eye, I had cataract surgery in left eye a few years ago but to my knowledge no lens to give me better vision was implanted! ?????