Dr. Michael Alan Malstrom, MD

My friends call me Recon, because I like to do research and plan things out. So when my optometrist told me I needed cataract surgery, I research surgeons, and decided on Dr. Malstrom because of his credentials and the number of cataract surgeries he performs relative to other cataract surgeons. The only negative was that I live in Macungie, which is about 50 minutes from his office, but getting the right surgeon was important enough for me to make the trip. The first time I meet Dr. Malstom, I knew I made the right choice. I was 100% comfortable that he would give me the best possible result. He clearly loves what he does. I was able to relax and let him take charge. I opted for the multi focal lens so that I could see both near and far. When I asked him, Dr. Malstrom said that he personally would not get that type of lens because it can cause halos which he could not tolerate as a surgeon. He also said it was an individual decision and might work for me, so I opted for it. The extra ocular lens did not work out for me. Everything went smoothly with the procedure, but my far vision was only 20/50. Dr. Malstrom said we could leave it at that or replace the lens. I decided to have the lens replaced and have monovision (distance vision with one eye and near vision with the other eye). Because I had the right lens replaced twice, Dr. Malstom operated on my eyes a total of three times. I had to use a lot of eye drops but at no time did I experience any pain or discomfort. That’s right—NO PAIN, not before, after or during the surgery. After the surgery, my husband would take me to the diner and then he took me home and I worked in the garden (which may have been ill-advised, but I was careful.) The third time Dr. Malstrom operated, I asked that I just be given the numbing drops without any sedative and I was fine. Some of my friends say they are afraid to have cataract surgery because they cannot tolerate having anything put in their eyes and they are afraid that they might blink or move. I had no problem. Before surgery, they cover one eye and use a mechanical device to hold the other eye open so you cannot blink. Then you look up at the bright light. All you see is the light. It breaks up into different colors as he operates. You do not see anything being inserted into the eye. I never even saw his hand approaching my eye. The procedure takes about 15 minutes. Nurses I spoke with said they watched him operate. He is quick and makes it look easy. He is very talented. Both eyes are done now, and I am seeing very well. The whole experience was actually pleasant. Dr. Malstrom treated my husband and I like we were all old friends getting together for a visit. He always had plenty of time to answer any questions, even questions like, “where do you recommend I take my 8-year-old grandson when he visits next week?” (Dr. Malstrom has 6 kids so he’s an expert in that as well). He got out pencil and paper and made a list of places. Perhaps he really liked my husband and me, or maybe, that’s just his bedside manner. Not only was Dr. Malstrom fantastic, the whole staff at Eye Consultants and its surgery center treated me like I was royalty. One nurse was so comforting, I wanted to know if I could come back to see her when I was having a bad day and needed some nurturing. I wish I could remember names, but really, they were all fabulous.

I have been a patient of Dr. Malstrom's since he started several years ago at Pa Eye & Ear Consultants. As a nurse for 18 years, I have seen a lot of physicians and surgeons and Dr. Malstrom exemplifies what every physician should be. He possesses keen intellect, a great bedside manner and is an attentive listener. From my first visit, through the maize of identifying my condition (which took two years -I was diagnosed with an identified autoimmune disease) and the course of treatment, Dr. Malstrom worked 'with' me -he always listened to my concerns, brought in specialists when needed and charted a course of treatment I could live with. He knew when to be serious and when to add a little humor. He has a gentle nature that is sorely lacking in physicians today who are focused just on medicine vs the patient. I am thrilled to have found a surgeon who puts his patients first and who always brings his "A" game.