In the early days of cataract surgery (oh, 1970s or so), the clouded lens was replaced with an artificial lens, which was a one-size-fits-all design. People who had the surgery would typically wear tri-focals, as far vision, near vision, and reading would all need some correction.
About 20 years ago, or so, technology had progressed to the point that they could custom make the artificial lens to the point that they could make it so the patient could see fine without glasses either at distance, or up-close, but would need glasses for the other. Most people opt for distance vision and just use reading glasses as needed. That is what I opted for. I wish I hadn’t, as I had been wearing glasses essentially my whole life for distance and was used to that, but, even with my cataracts, I could read without glasses (although computer work was a bit of a problem without them). Now, it is impossible for me to read without glasses. I used to read in bed until I fell asleep. Falling asleep with your glasses on is not as much fun as it sounds.
Current technology, I am told, has the ability for bi-focal artificial lens. I don’t know how they work. My ophthalmologist told me they were expensive and the amount the insurance would pay was limited, so I took the single-vision option and use cheaters.
But, yes, I can see 20/20 without glasses. I seem to have a slight astigmatism in my right eye that could be corrected, but my Dr. said that even without correcting for it, my distance vision was fine.