Been there, before laser surgery on my eyes I was practically blind. After my first surgery, I could see distance, but not well enough to read street signs very well and certainly not well enough to read lisence plates. I also needed reading glasses after surgery. By the way, they kinda screwed up my first surgery and made me a little far sighted, so I found out what it was like to be far sighted also.
Now, after my second surgery, I can read lisence plates, sharp and clear. And even though my doctor told me that I would probably need reading glasses, I find that I can read the phone book. So for now, I don't seem to need glasses at all.
-fin