Is Oort cloud real?

Is the Oort cloud really a thing, or is it just a theory that astronomers have conjured up to explain certain phenomena in our solar system? It's often mentioned in discussions about the origins of comets, but how much evidence do we actually have to support its existence? Are there any direct observations that confirm the presence of this vast cloud of icy objects surrounding our sun at the edge of the solar system? And if the Oort cloud is real, what does it mean for our understanding of the universe and our place within it?