Family of Penn Hills Officer Speaks Out After Son’s Death Following Lasik Surgery

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The family of a beloved Penn Hills police officer is speaking out about the dangers of elective Lasik eye surgery following the tragic death of their son, 26-year-old Ryan Kingerski.

Kingerski, described by those who knew him as charismatic, loving, and full of life, died by suicide on January 26—just five months after undergoing Lasik surgery at a Pittsburgh clinic.

“He was charismatic, loving, funny, witty,” said his mother, Stefanie Kingerski. “He was a police officer at Penn Hills, loved his job more than anything. He often said he would do it for free.”

Ryan’s parents, Stefanie and Tim Kingerski, say their son was proud to serve the community and deeply loved by family, friends, co-workers, and children in the area. But that pride and joy began to unravel after the surgery in August 2024.

“Twelve seconds. Twelve seconds was what it took for him to have his surgery. That took his life away from him,” said Tim Kingerski.

The family said Ryan experienced complications immediately after the procedure. On the drive home, he complained of foggy vision in his right eye and intense pain. Over time, his symptoms worsened—debilitating migraines, impaired vision, and constant discomfort that ultimately forced him off duty.

“He handed me his glasses and said, ‘I won’t need these anymore,’” his father recalled. “But the pain never stopped.”

By November, Ryan began speaking publicly about his struggles, posting on social media and leaving a negative review of Lasik Plus on November 18. The next day, the company notified him it would no longer provide care.

“All he wanted was to get back to work and live a normal life,” Stefanie said.

Dr. Morris Waxler, a former FDA Lasik expert, has raised alarms about the procedure’s risks, citing long-term side effects like chronic eye pain and vision issues that aren’t always clearly disclosed to patients.

“These are not small matters,” Waxler said. “Irremediable pain, itchiness, night driving problems—these can alter someone’s entire life.”

In a statement, Lasik Plus defended the procedure, saying it is backed by over 7,000 peer-reviewed studies and has been proven safe and effective for suitable candidates. The FDA emphasizes the importance of thorough preoperative screenings.

The Kingerskis, however, believe their son was not properly evaluated.

“The note he left said, ‘I can’t take it anymore. Lasik did this to me,’” Tim revealed.

Since sharing Ryan’s story on social media, millions have viewed it, and countless people have reached out to say they’ve reconsidered undergoing Lasik themselves.

“We wish Ryan could be the one telling this story,” Tim said. “He deserved better. He should be here.”

Now, through their grief, Ryan’s family is determined to advocate for awareness and reform so no other family suffers the same loss.