A young Pennsylvania man recently committed suicide a few months after undergoing correction laser surgery.
His parents blamed his son’s suicide on the “debilitating” side effects he experienced, but vision experts claim the procedure is often “safe and effective.”
According to Tim and Stefanie Kingerski, a young officer at the Penn Hills Police Department, Ryan Kingerski, a 26-year-old young officer at the Penn Hills Police Department, was “funny and witty, it’s just a real person.” (See the video at the top of the article.)
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“Ryan always tried and helped in some way,” Stefanie Kingerski said. “He was just a very sincere person – he meant what he said, he said what he meant. He was passionate.”
Ryan is very close to his twin brother Jacob, as both follow in their father’s footsteps into law enforcement. His parents shared that he enjoyed playing golf and spending time with friends and girlfriends.
From left to right: Ryan, Tim and Jacob Kingerski are all serving as police officers. Ryan took his life a few months after undergoing correction laser surgery, citing the debilitating side effects. (Kinsky Family)
According to Kinskis, in August 2025, Ryan underwent Lasik’s ophthalmology surgery, a decision that “changed his life forever.”
Ryan has worn glasses and contacts since middle school, but he chose surgery so he no longer needs them.
“My son was told he would go in, do the process and get back to work within a few days,” Tim Kingerski said. “That never happened.”
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On the way home from the operation, Ryan said “something was wrong” and complained that his right eye was blurred.
“We told him to give it some time, but it got worse,” his father said.
As the weeks went on, Ryan suffered a number of symptoms, including severe headaches, double vision, star bursts, ghosts, halos and other visual impairments.
“It ruined his life. It debilitated him.”
“This is a complication after complications, and it’s not improved,” Stefanie Kingerski said. “We keep trying to see different experts and try to get different opinions.”
“They just kept saying he needed healing.”
Ryan’s mother claims that laser surgery caused her son to commit “higher order aberrations”, which is a distortion that leads to visual impairment.
From left to right: Jacob, Stephanie, Tim and Ryan Kinsky are photographed on a golf outing. Ryan loves to play golf and spend time with his friends and girlfriend, shared by his parents. (Kinsky Family)
A corneal expert said Ryan’s cornea was thin, which should rule out surgery.
“In short, he is not a candidate, they should seize this and should warn him.”
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As the results worsened, Ryan quit the event he used to love and became very reserved.
Five months after the operation, in January 2025, Ryan committed suicide.
Tim Kingerski said: “The note we left was: ‘Lasik took everything from me. I can’t accept it anymore.’ “It ruined his life. It weakens him. ”
Ryan Kingerski poses with his girlfriend Maura. His mother said: “He was just a very sincere person – he meant what he said, he said what he meant. He was very enthusiastic.” (Kinsky Family)
Ryan’s parents insisted that their suicide was not the result of mental health problems.
“If it was a mental health issue, and something my son was dealing with before, I wouldn’t talk about it,” Tim Kingerski said. “But he’s not here for only one reason.”
Kingerskis has since established connections with other families who have experienced similar experiences. Ryan’s father said: “We often hear those just saying, ‘I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I can accept it.’
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Ryan’s parents are now aiming to raise awareness and call for “transparency and accountability.” They also filed a complaint with the FDA.
“What we’re really looking for is accountability in the industry,” Stefanie Kingerski said. “We want the FDA to step up, start investigating, start looking deeper, start figuring out the long-term impact.”
Photos of the Kinsky family at the wedding of Ryan’s twin brother Jacob. (Kinsky Family)
“Impression of consent is just a piece of paper they give you without explanation,” Tim Kingerski noted. “The consent form should say that Rasik can and has caused permanent damage to make you want to commit suicide because it is the fact.”
“People are being touted as safe and effective every day to get hurt, and we can tell you that it’s not.”
From left to right: Tim, Stefanie, Ryan and Jacob Kingerski are photographed on a golf outing. (Kinsky Family)
Previous suicides have been reported after laser surgery.
In 2018, Michigan meteorologist Jessica Starr committed suicide two months after the surgery. According to local reports, she experienced chronic dry eyes and blurred vision.
Starr left behind a video journal detailing her struggles, saying she had lived in “six weeks of hell.”
In 2016, Max Cronin, a University of Texas student, committed suicide at the age of 27. His lawsuit noted that his death was “the result of devastating complications caused by elective laser surgery.”
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Dr. James Kelly, a renowned refractive surgeon expert and comprehensive ophthalmologist in New York City, said he did not know that peer-reviewed literature reported that suicide rates were higher among patients with Lasik and Lasik, while those matched in the same match did not undergo any procedures.
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“The most common side effect is dry eye, there are many effective treatments, and this usually improves in the months after surgery,” he said.
“The most important message for patients experiencing eye problems is seeking care from experienced professionals, as is true for anyone with a mental health condition.”
Ryan Kingerski (left) was the best man at the wedding of his twin brother Jacob. (Kinsky Family)
The Refractive Surgery Council is an organization designed to “help people make informed decisions about their vision correction choices” in defending these procedures.
“For those who are good candidates, the fact that large amounts of scientific data support for LASIK is safe and effective is repeatedly confirmed by the FDA and has been verified through independent research,” a spokesperson said.
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For those considering vision correction procedures, the Council recommends “know as much as possible”, which includes knowing whether they are a good candidate, choosing the right surgeon and having a thorough conversation with the nursing team.
Ryan Kingerski poses with his mother Stefanie. (Kinsky Family)
“Like all surgical procedures, Lasik is at risk of side effects and complications,” the spokesperson noted. “Clinical studies have found that less than 1% of patients have severe observational LASIK complications.”
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The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) also commented on Fox News’ digital numbers.
“Although we don’t know the clinical details of the Ryan case, we do know that the answers to a person’s choice to die from suicide are complex and are often associated with depression and emotional trauma,” said Stephen D. McLeod, CEO of AOO AOO.
“Like all surgical procedures, Lasik has a risk of side effects and complications.”
“We don’t know what role Lassik might play. Regardless of this, our hearts give their hearts to Ryan Kingerski’s family.”
The college notes that while “most patients” are good candidates, “Lasik is not for everyone.”
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“The college recommends that patients talk to ophthalmologists to understand the potential risks and ensure they are a good candidate,” McLeod advises. “Ophthalmologists are the most qualified physicians, providing patients with advice on all types of refractive surgery.”
Fox News Digital contacted Lasik and the FDA for comment.
