When Ryan Kingerski, a young police officer from Pennsylvania, chose to get Lasik eye surgery to improve his vision, he never imagined the severe consequences it would have on his life.
What started as a hopeful step to better eyesight turned into months of unbearable pain, headaches, and double vision — and sadly, ended in his suicide.
His heartbreaking story has reignited a wider conversation about the hidden dangers of Lasik, a procedure many still believe to be safe and routine.
The Growing Wave of Pain and Suffering After Lasik Surgery
Ryan’s experience is far from unique. Across the country, dozens of people have shared similar stories of agony following Lasik surgery.
Miami eye doctor Edward Boshnick didn’t hold back when describing the procedure, calling it “the biggest scam ever put on the American public” and highlighting that the complications are far more common than reported.
Lasik is widely advertised as safe and simple — a quick laser treatment that reshapes the cornea to reduce dependence on glasses or contacts.
However, the reality is more complicated and painful for many patients.
A Former FDA Official Sounds the Alarm
Morris Waxler, who once headed the FDA’s review of Lasik surgery, has been outspoken about his regret in approving the procedure.
After reviewing data, Waxler found complication rates ranging between 10 and 30 percent — much higher than the “less than one percent” claimed by providers.
He even petitioned the FDA to revoke Lasik’s approval but faced resistance from powerful surgeons who dominate the field.
His warnings have since been echoed by many suffering patients.
Real People, Real Tragedies: Stories Behind the Statistics
Some of the most heart-wrenching evidence comes from those who have lost their lives after Lasik.
In 2018, Detroit meteorologist Jessica Starr took her own life, leaving behind videos and a note detailing the emotional torment and vision problems she endured after surgery.
Her husband said she was perfectly healthy and happy before the procedure.
Similarly, Canadian father Paul Fitzpatrick suffered chronic pain for 20 years following Lasik before ending his life, citing the unrelenting agony in his suicide note.
And in 2019, Gloria McConnell endured severe complications so debilitating she rarely left her bed before her death by suicide at age 60.
Ryan Kingerski’s Battle and Final Goodbye
Ryan Kingerski underwent Lasik in August 2024, hoping to enhance his vision for his police work.
Instead, he was left with debilitating side effects — dark spots, double vision, extreme sensitivity, and constant headaches.
His parents described the surgery as “tragically unsuccessful.”
By January 2025, still in pain and without answers, Ryan tragically ended his life.
His suicide note painfully declared, “Lasik took everything from me.”
Survivors Speak Out and Demand Awareness
Many who have suffered from post-Lasik complications are now raising their voices. Paula Cofer, a survivor who battled suicidal thoughts for years after her “disastrous” surgery in 2000, claims the true complication rate is in the double digits — far higher than the industry admits.
Cofer knows dozens of others who have died by suicide because they couldn’t bear the constant pain and vision problems.
She now runs a Facebook support group to help others and spread awareness of the procedure’s risks.
What Actually Happens During Lasik and Why Complications Occur
During Lasik surgery, a thin flap is cut in the cornea and lifted so the underlying tissue can be reshaped with a laser.
This adjusts how light focuses on the retina to correct vision issues like nearsightedness or farsightedness.
But this flap cutting can permanently damage nerves and alter the cornea’s shape, leading to problems like dry eyes, floaters, astigmatism, and night vision difficulties.
Many patients suffer from these complications silently, fearing their issues won’t be believed.
Millions Have Had Lasik But Many Suffer in Silence
Since FDA approval in 1999, over 10 million Americans have undergone Lasik, with nearly a million procedures performed annually.
While some, like Brooklyn electrician Abraham Rutner, find partial relief through specialized treatments like scleral lenses, many remain trapped in pain.
Rutner described his post-Lasik vision as “hazy and terrible,” feeling like he lost his life.
Thanks to new treatments, he found hope, but such cases are far from universal.
Official Warnings Clash with Industry Claims
The FDA does warn about risks like vision loss, halos, glare, and double vision.
Yet, the American Refractive Surgery Council continues to promote Lasik as one of the safest elective surgeries, claiming serious complications are under one percent.
Experts like Boshnick and former FDA official Waxler dispute these numbers, calling the procedure harmful for many, especially when performed on perfectly healthy eyes that only need glasses.
A Call for Greater Transparency and Patient Protection
The painful stories of Ryan Kingerski and others highlight the urgent need for better regulation, transparent information, and stronger support for those suffering post-Lasik.
It’s clear this “simple” surgery carries real risks — risks that too many patients only discover after it’s too late.