PGP:
Has your optimilogist or optometrist talked to you about a lens upgrade?
From what I understand, most insurances like Medicare, do not cover (AKA, pay for) them. What your particular vision problems currently are or have been in the past, some of these upgraded lens may be able to correct.
Again, I do not know if you can financial afford it, BUT, how much is your eyesight and vision worth to you?
Only you can answer that
Also, eyeball pressure are an important part of the cataract surgery and depending on your age and eyeball condition, the optimilogist may insert stents in ducts to help reduce eyeball pressure.
The required post-surgery drops are part of the pressure reduction and infection prevention for this cataract surgery.
And yes, I am in the same boat as you, having put off cataract surgery because of fear of complications and costs to have better lens for my particular vision conditions and problems.
BUT as my optometrist has said, everyone he has suggested to have done ALL say the same thing:
"Why didn`t I do this sooner!"