Bob,
I would like to hear of your experiences on your cataract surgery. I, too, have developed a cataract (kinda early, I am 37) and at the rate it is progressing I expect I will need to have something done in the next couple of years. I am in the process of trying to find out who the best opthalmologists are around here (colorado).
I discovered mine while examining a new 9mm Nagler I had just purchased used. I noticed a dark blurry spot in the corner of the exit pupil (at first I thought the eyelens of the Nagler was smudged). Amazingly, I had just had an eye exam the previous month and the opthalmologist didn't see it (I even asked him to pay particular attention to looking for cataracts). When I went back to have it checked out I was able to tell him where it was. Though mine is small (about 1mm dia) it is almost dead center (which is why it is so annoying). I can monitor its progress by viewing light through a small aperture (by pinching my fingers together in front of my eyes) - I can plainly see it in high contrast.