Tragic Suicide of Pennsylvania Man Following LASIK Surgery

A young man from Pennsylvania recently took his own life, just months after undergoing laser eye surgery.

His parents attribute his death to the severe side effects they believe he suffered from the procedure, while some vision specialists assert that LASIK is typically “safe and effective.”

Ryan Kinkelsky, an officer in the Penn Hills Police Department, was described by his parents, Tim and Stephanie Kimpersky, as “fun and witty” and “a real person.” They shared their thoughts in a heartfelt interview.

“Ryan always tried to help others, even if he didn’t know them,” Stephanie recalled. “He was genuine and full of passion.” They also mentioned how close Ryan was to his twin brother Jacob and how he loved golfing and hanging out with friends.

In August 2025, Ryan underwent LASIK surgery, a choice that his parents say “changed his life forever.” Having worn glasses and contacts since middle school, he hoped for a permanent solution.

“He was told that he would be back to normal in a few days,” Tim mentioned, expressing disbelief at how things turned out.

However, shortly after the surgery, Ryan began to feel that something was wrong, reporting blurry vision in his right eye. Initially, his family encouraged him to wait it out, but his condition only deteriorated from there.

Over the following weeks, he experienced severe headaches, double vision, and various visual distortions. “It ruined his life,” his father lamented.

Stephanie informed that they sought different experts for opinions, yet were consistently told Ryan needed to heal. Eventually, it was revealed that the surgery had caused a “higher degree abnormality” in his vision. One cornea specialist suggested that Ryan should not have undergone surgery in the first place due to a thin cornea that should have disqualified him.

After the surgery, Ryan increasingly withdrew from activities he once enjoyed. Tragically, he took his own life in January 2025, five months post-surgery, leaving behind a note that expressed his despair following the procedure.

Ryan’s parents firmly believe that his suicide wasn’t initiated by pre-existing mental health issues. “If it were anything else, I wouldn’t be talking about this,” Tim stated emphatically. “There’s only one reason he’s gone.” They have since connected with other families facing similar hardships and hear from those who are ready to give up due to similar situations.

In an effort to raise awareness, Ryan’s parents engaged with advocacy efforts and filed a complaint with the FDA, seeking accountability within the industry. “We want them to look into the long-term impacts,” Stephanie emphasized.

They argue that patients are often presented with consent forms that oversimplify potential risks associated with LASIK surgery. “There’s a systemic issue here. People are getting hurt under the guise of safety,” Tim remarked.

The concerning trend is not isolated; previous cases exist where individuals tragically ended their lives following similar surgeries. Notably, in 2018, meteorologist Jessica Starr took her life after experiencing complications, and in 2016, Max Cronin died due to catastrophic issues from laser surgery.

Industry Perspectives

Dr. James Kelly, a New York City refractive surgeon, expressed that he is not aware of significant peer-reviewed studies linking high suicide rates to LASIK. He emphasized the commonality of dry eye as a side effect that typically improves over time.

The Council on Refractive Surgery, which aims to provide transparency to potential LASIK candidates, reinforced that data supports the procedure’s safety for suitable candidates, as verified by the FDA.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology stated that while most patients are good candidates, LASIK isn’t for everyone. CEO Stephen D. McLeod mentioned that factors contributing to a patient’s mental state can be complex and should not be solely attributed to the surgery.

In conclusion, the Kimperskys express their hope that their advocacy can prevent similar tragedies in the future. They want to shed light on the experiences of those who’ve suffered as a consequence of misunderstood risks associated with vision correction procedures. It’s essential that potential candidates are thoroughly informed of all possibilities before making such significant decisions.