So I found my VR headset. it turns out it was stuffed into a box in the back of the linen closet??? for some reason?? anyway I set it back up again and actually installed the prescription lenses I bought for it and holy shit. i can actually see. i can't believe i played all of half life alyx not being able to fucking see anything because i couldn't wear my glasses underneath the headset
(unfortunately, though, somehow the prescription lenses for the headset fell out of their box and the left one got all scratched up, right in the center, and it's pretty noticeable. but it's still better than no lens at all)