He was supposed to return to his patrol shift that day, but instead, Ryan Kingerski, a 26-year-old police officer from Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, was found dead in his apartment. His family later revealed that Ryan had been battling excruciating side effects from LASIK eye surgery — a procedure he had hoped would improve his life but instead left him trapped in a living nightmare. [New York Post]
According to CBS News Pittsburgh, Ryan’s ordeal began in August 2024, when he underwent LASIK surgery to correct his vision. Almost immediately, he experienced severe headaches, halos, and floaters, alongside debilitating eye pain that disrupted his sleep and left him unable to focus on his duties as an officer. “I can’t take this anymore. LASIK took everything from me,” Ryan wrote in his final note, a message his parents Tim and Stefanie shared with WTAE Pittsburgh.
Dr. Morris Waxler, a former FDA official involved in approving LASIK, has long raised concerns about the underreported risks of the surgery. “Patients are often told complications are rare, but that’s not the whole story,” he told New York Post. According to Waxler, long-term complications like chronic dry eye, neuropathic corneal pain, and visual disturbances are more common than most patients realize.
Ryan’s case has now ignited a wave of warnings from both doctors and former LASIK patients who shared eerily similar experiences on social media and forums like r/lasik. One user recounted, “I was promised a quick recovery and perfect vision. Instead, I got pain so intense I couldn’t sleep for weeks.” Another post in r/lasik warned, “If you’re prone to migraines or nerve pain, think twice before considering this surgery.”
Ryan’s family revealed that he had seen multiple specialists to find relief, including consultations at Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. Despite their best efforts, no treatment alleviated his pain. His vision issues made it impossible to work, and his mental health deteriorated. Friends said he became withdrawn and despondent, struggling with guilt over his inability to serve his community. “He loved his job. He loved helping people,” said fellow officer Kevin Ellis in an interview with NBC News.
Patient advocacy groups like Vision Advocacy have long called for clearer warnings and comprehensive pre-op counseling for prospective LASIK patients. They cite cases like Ryan’s as evidence that informed consent is often inadequate. The group’s founder, Lisa Warner, lost her own son to suicide following LASIK complications and has since dedicated her life to raising awareness. “If my son had been fully informed, he might have made a different choice,” she told Fox News.
The FDA issued a warning in 2022, noting that some patients experience chronic pain and vision problems after LASIK. However, critics argue these warnings don’t go far enough. Dr. Amy Lincoln, an ophthalmologist who no longer performs the procedure, told Healthline, “The risks aren’t just numbers on a consent form. They’re real people living with irreversible damage.”
Online communities are now filled with stories from individuals echoing Ryan’s experience. A viral post on X shared photos of prescription eye drops and night vision goggles used by LASIK patients struggling to cope. Another widely shared clip on TikTok features a young woman describing her experience with severe dry eye and neuropathic pain post-LASIK, warning others to “do your research before you sit in that chair.”
Ryan’s story has also prompted some lawmakers to reconsider regulations surrounding elective surgeries. Pennsylvania State Senator Claire Hargrove announced plans to introduce legislation mandating stricter consent protocols and mandatory mental health screenings before LASIK, as reported by PhillyVoice. “We owe it to Ryan and others like him to ensure no one walks into this blindly,” she said.
Meanwhile, the police community is grappling with the loss. A candlelight vigil was held outside Penn Hills Police Department, attended by officers from across the state. In a statement, Police Chief Joseph Thomas said, “Ryan was one of the best. His absence leaves a hole we can’t fill.” Images from the vigil shared by @pennhillspolice show officers embracing, with candles lighting up the night in his memory.
In a poignant message shared during a WHO global summit on vision safety, Ryan’s parents pleaded with the public to take the risks of elective surgeries seriously. “Ryan believed in protecting others. If his story can protect just one person from making a devastating decision, then his death won’t be in vain,” Stefanie Kingerski said through tears.
For now, Ryan’s name joins a growing list of voices warning that medical advancements, while promising, should never come at the cost of transparency and patient safety.
