Also, remember that your new prescription will not be the same as the old one and the lenses will not be so thick. You can get normal size glasses that are clear at the top and have only a reading prescription. That way you can glance down at your phone and not have to put on readers.

DH had cataract surgery. He is fine for distance - can drive without needing glasses, but needs glasses for reading (and eating) and uses a different prescription for computer glasses. He was using those $10 drugstore glasses for reading and computer use, but has decided to go with bifocals, with the top plain glass, so that he isn't constantly putting his glasses on and off.

I've not had cataract surgery but will weigh in on the monovision. I would not do this unless you've previously proven to yourself that you can adjust to it with contacts which may be too late since you're not much of a contact wearer any more. I know people who love it but I could never get used to it when I tried it with contacts.

I'm almost sixty as well and I actually like wearing glasses at this stage of life. I like fun glasses and they distract from my aging face. My mother always said they covered up the bags under her eyes!

I quit contacts when glasses got smaller and my eyes just got too irritated from working in front of a computer all day with contacts. And then once I needed reading glasses I was done with contacts for good. I wouldn't care for readers as I much prefer to have my glasses on my face whenever I need them rather than searching for them or carrying them around in some way other than on my face.

The idea of correcting for distance and then having glasses for close up seems like a good recommendation - either readers if you like that idea or progressives that allow you to see near, intermediate and far.

I had cataract surgery very young (50). Early cataracts run in my family. My vision was worse than yours. The surgery changed my life. I have perfect distance vision and it's the best thing ever. I did not do monovision or any type of specialty lens, and I'm happy with my choice. I do have to wear glasses to read, but I'll take that any day over what I had before.

I had cataract surgery, both eyes, at age 41, and opted for perfect distance vision. My near vision became worse (which I was advised would happen) but I already was wearing glasses for reading so it really didn't bother me. My ophthalmologist advised against different corrections in each eye for some of the reasons cited above.

I had both eyes done but my dr. told me, he could only do multi vision if he could repair the astigmatism, which he did. I then had one eye for distance and one for close up. I love it. I never wear glasses at all any more and I can read the tiny print on rx bottle plus read signs so far away. My sister had the same problem but they could not repair the astigmatism, thus she is still wearing glasses all the time. It's a tough decision to make. I was willing to take the risk as I'm a sculptor and artist and I hate glasses for the same reason as you, they slide off my nose. My husband wanted distance only and he uses glasses for reading. He likes driving with no glasses.

I have done monovision for years. I wear a contact in my right eye for distance and nothing in my left eye for close up. Over the last year, my eyesight has changed to a degree that I now need help in the "no contact" eye for extremely close-up work (threading a needle, reading teeny-tiny print, etc.). My doctor does not correct my distance vision to perfect because doing so interferes with my intermediate vision. It helped a lot to adjust the distance vision slightly less than perfect so that I could see mid-range things (like a computer screen) clearly.

I love monovision and really like not being tied to reading glasses for most tasks, but I do agree that it takes getting used to. It took me about a week to adjust. I'd be cautious of a permanent "fix" without trying it out first with contacts.

I've had both eyes done and chose the multi-focal lenses. I was promised that I would not need glasses anymore but that has not proven to be the case. What I learned is the replacement lenses of any kind are not the same as "original equipment". They come in sizes sort of like shoes, and if someone is in-between, the doctor has to make a call whether to go up or down. I'm not sure his call was the right one for me, but he has shown me (using lenses) what it would have looked like the other way and that wouldn't have been right, either. It's as if shoes only came in whole sizes and one needs a half size.

I know many people who were lifelong glasses wearers that are now glasses-free except in dark restaurants for menu reading. If I'm on the beach or in very bright light, I don't need glasses for reading anymore. I do use them at the computer and when driving at night.

As for your dry eye - are you being treated for this? I choses not to take meds but to have the tear ducts cauterized and that solved my problem, which was caused by a medication I no longer take.

Thanks all for your feedback, it's great to hear real life experiences. I tried monovision contacts in 2007 and was not able to tolerate them per my paper chart and ophthalmologist yesterday. I do not remember this but he read his note to me.

I have worn multi focal contact lenses for many years and realize the trade offs that are made with them. Either distance vision is good or close up--take your pick. I also know that the prescription that the doctor thinks will be the best fit isn't always the one that the vision is best with. So that scares me in having something implanted that may not be the exact correct lens. It was good to hear that so many of you opted for a single vision lens.

If I did not work basically 13 hour shifts in a very dry hospital environment I would be able to wear my contacts the majority of my waking hours. On my off days I am able to wear them for 6-12 hours. I do have one eye cauterized and a tear duct plug in the other for the dry eyes. My glaucoma drops irritate the eyes as a side effect also.

I would love to be able to get a pair of glasses that did not have thick expensive lenses in them. I have always looked younger than my age and the younger RN's think I'm lying when I tell them how old I am, it also helps I was mid 30' s when I had my daughters. I feel glasses make me look older with my current hairstyle.

Picture not of me but from Style at a Certain Age blog. I look similar to this with a little more black in my hair. http://www.styleatacertainage.com/skin-care-regimen-prescriptives/

Thanks all for your thoughts. Keep them coming. I will definitely keep all updated when I do something.

I had cataract surgery several years ago and opted for the distance vision. I wear reading glasses, but am planning on going back to progressives or bi-focals, just so I'm not putting them on and taking them off all the time. It seems like I'm always reading, whether on the computer, recipes, newspaper, telephone, etc.

By the time we get to cataract surgery, it is difficult to avoid the need for glasses for at least some purposes, usually reading. I had both eyes done in my fifties, one for intermediate vision and the other for distance. I like this because, if I have to, I can read normal sized print, and a I can read the clock during the night etc. However, I have astigmatism and corrective eyeglass lenses give me "higher definition" distance vision, especially at night. Mine are progressive, and I wear them quite a bit because I spend a lot of time reading and doing close work.

My husband had both eyes done for long distance and only wears glasses for reading. It has been such a great boon for him, as he wore thick glasses most of his life.

I really like your hair style! Eyeglasses are like jewelry for the face. Yes, they are an investment and I hope you can find stylish ones that suit you and make you feel good. I recently got new ones, and it was quite a hunt but worth it.

I had cataract surgery on one eye a year ago. No problems. I paid up front for the doc to correct astigmatism if he could (mine isn't horrible), but he didn't do that procedure. Apparently he only corrects the astigmatism with the laser surgery if it's bad enough to fix. My cataract was just at the stage where insurance covered the procedure for that surgery and I didn't want it to progress to the point of it interfering with my vision.

I had Lasik many years ago to correct my distance vision. That was when I was wearing contacts and had just progressed to the point of needing reading glasses too or going to bifocals (big NO for me). I could never adjust to the transition, so I finally went for the Lasik and wished I had done it sooner. Of course I wear reading glasses but that's fine. I have a prescription pair for long periods of work, but also several cheaper pair I scatter around the house to grab for a quick read. I would never ever consider monovision. What's the point of trying to make my eyes adjust to something they aren't meant to do? And you lose some depth perception in the process, so I'm not a fan of that.

I am getting it done soon. I do fine with my progressives and don't have a really strong prescription but driving at night is a huge issue. The glare and halos from the headlights of oncoming traffic basically blinds me. When we lived in a small town and only had one or two cars in oncoming lanes it wasn't a big deal. But now we live in an area with very busy roads and the dozens of headlights are a real problem.

I am also going to get the low tech monofocal lenses. I figure the easier the procedure the less likely there will be complications. Fingers crossed!

d_gw, my astigmatism sometimes drives me crazy at night, sometimes not so much. If I'm driving in a familiar place, I'm fine. If not, I'm not as comfortable. However, my optometrist recommended a prescription for iZon lenses several years ago. They were pricey, but I'm still wearing the same ones. I keep them in my car (or try to take them on trips if I know I'll be driving) and wear them at night if I need to.