Did they check you for cataract?  Your desription sounds like it, but of
course it could be something else.  Only a physical examination by a
professional can determine your condition.

I am 65 and my vison in the last two or so years has been getting
worse for reading. I have been buying magnafying reading glass.

Now, when I try to read, it is like looking through glasses that are
smeered with vasaline.  I had my vision checked and got perscription
reading glasses. There is absolutely no difference and I still cannot
focus to read.  My distance vison is failing too.

Reading through various web sites and Usenet Groups, I have concluded
that there so may different possible vision problems that I could
never determine what my problem is over the Internet.

My problem is complicated by my living in Panama. I went to who I
thought was an opthomologist but he was an optometrist. ( There is a
language barrier since my Spanish is not perfect.)  I told him that I
did not think prescription glasses would solve my problem but I went
ahead and had them made anyway.

I am going to see an eye surgeon next week who maybe can help me.