and to the "clouding up" issue, my doctor said that he had to mention it as a possible side effect because it CAN happen, but he followed it up with "if the doctor knows what they're doing, its not ever a problem".
So far as I understand it, the "clouding up" has nothing to do with the lens-replacement procedure at all --
it's a consequence of the eye tissue healing:
Secondary scar tissue developing behind the lens implant is often called a “secondary cataract”. Scar tissue developing on the lens capsule will impair the vision and can cause blurriness or distortion. This is a very common occurrence and can happen in greater than 50% of people that undergo cataract surgery. The wrinkling or cloudiness which can develop months or years later is a result of scarring (a normal healing response) and can interfere withe vision in ways similar to the original cataract. If the clouding of the posterior capsule interferes with your vision, your ophthalmologist may suggest opening the capsule to restore normal sight.
IOW, the replacement lens itself does not cloud up ... but scar tissue builds up gradually behind the replacement lens.
The corrective procedure for the clouding is called a
posterior capsulotomy (or a YAG laser capsulotomy). I've had it done in my right eye and need it done in my left eye (been kicking the can since 2019). It really was a 5-minute procedure as described in the link -- basically they shoot a few laser zaps into your eye and you're done. I was able to drive myself back home from my capsulotomy wearing those cheapie "shades" you get at the ophthalmologist's office.