I’ve always been near-sighted. I got my first pair of glasses when I was 8.
I’m now 49. I can’t see things up close with my glasses. So when I need to look at something up close (e.g. reading), I have to remove my glasses.
The optometrist said I needed bifocals. But I don’t see the reason. What’s wrong with simply removing the glasses to look at something up close? Plus, only “old people” wear bifocals, and I don’t wanna be one of them. 
I get irritated when I teach because I need bifocals on to read anything less than 3’ close, then I need to look up and interact with students. I think I look weird peering over my rims (like a caricature), but there’s too much look-in-ating involved; I can’t just whip 'em on and off (the glasses, not the students :)).
Some Good News… You’re eyesight will be almost 20/20 after cataract surgery.
We all have that to look forward to. 
I’ve already started having my cataracts measured. The opthalmologist uses a machine to scan them. My left eye got shingles in it ten years ago and the cataract may require surgery in a few years. Right eye has a small cataract that isn’t any concern right now.
I’m only in my fifties. Wore glasses since I was 11. My prescription stayed about the same until I was in my 40’s. I’ve needed stronger and stronger lenses. I don’t use bifocals. Yet. Trying to avoid them.
My big problem is the computer. 16 inches away and I can’t read the screen easily with my glasses. Things farther away are fine. I read my phone close up great without glasses.
Anyone gotten glasses specifically for the computer? Reading the monitor is a PITA.
I’ve started using my phone for web browsing. because using a pc and reading the monitor is so miserable.
My glasses work great driving. Except at night it’s hard reading smaller street signs. My headlights don’t stay on the sign long enough for me to easy read it.
I’m in a kind of limbo with computer viewing. Instead of trying to make glasses work, I increase screen to 125% and push it several feet away. I use the bifocals for smaller screens; I do have a *slight *correction for distances, so I tried a tri-focal prescription – it made me feel sick (dizzy).