I am an eye doc... After 40 or so, most people need glasses for something, and most people have some improvement with distance vision. Astigmatism is extremely common, and with increased near work and technology, we are seeing dramatic changes in young people and vision issues as well as us old folk.
One thing I can say, is that you get what you pay for with glasses and especially lenses. Coatings, lens designs (especially in no-line bifocals or progressives), lens materials, etc., can all make a huge impact in visual quality... You get what you pay for.
After 50 years old, I strongly favor elective cataract surgery over lasik... Lasik is great for that 25-35 year old patient with the right correction...