A young Pennsylvania man recently took his life a few months after being rectified. Laser eye surgery.
His parents condemn his son’s suicide for the “debilitating” side effects he experienced, but vision experts argue that the procedure is generally “safe and effective.”
Ryan Kinkelsky, a young officer at the Penn Hills Police Department, was “fun and witty – just a real person,” according to Tim and Stephanie Kimpersky, who spoke to Fox News Digital in an interview on camera. (See the video at the top of the article.)
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“Ryan will always try to help in some way, even if it’s a stranger,” Stephanie Kimpersky said. “He was a very sincere person. He meant what he said, what he meant. He was passionate.”
Ryan was very close to his twin brother Jacob. Law enforcement. He enjoyed playing golf and spending time with friends and girlfriends, his parents shared.
Left to right: Ryan, Tim and Jacob Kickelski all served as police officers. Ryan took his life for several months after undergoing modified laser eye surgery, citing debilitating side effects. (Kingerski Family)
In August 2025, Ryan underwent LASIK ophthalmology surgery. This was a decision that “changed his life forever” according to the Kingskys.
Ryan had been wearing glasses and contacts since middle school, but he chose to do the surgery so that he no longer needed it.
“My son was told he would come in, take the steps and return to work in a few days,” Tim Kinkelski said. “It never happened.”
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On his way home from the surgery, Ryan complained, “Something’s not right,” and that his right eye was blurry.
“We told him to give him time, but that got worse,” his father said.
As the weeks progressed, Ryan suffered from many symptoms. Severe headachedouble vision, starburst, ghost, halo and other visual impairments.
“It ruined his life. It debilitated him.”
“It was a complication after the complications and there was no improvement,” Stephanie Kimpersky said. “We have continued efforts to meet different experts in an effort to gain different opinions.”
“They kept saying he needed to heal.”
Ryan’s mother claimed that the laser surgery left a “higher degree abnormality” in his son.
Left to right: Jacob, Stephanie, Tim and Ryan Kinkelski are portrayed on golf outings. Ryan enjoyed playing golf and spending time with his friends and girlfriends, his parents shared. (Kingerski Family)
One cornea expert said Ryan had a very thin cornea and should have ruled out surgery.
“In a nutshell, he wasn’t a candidate, they should have caught it and warned him,” his mother said.
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As the effects deteriorated, Ryan once loved and withdrew from a very modest activity, his parents said.
In January 2025, five months after the surgery, Ryan took his life.
“The memo that we left said, “LASIK took everything from me. We can’t take that anymore,” Tim Kinkelski said. “It ruined his life. It debilitated him.”
Ryan Kinkelsky is portrayed with his girlfriend, Maura. “He was a very sincere person. He meant what he said, what he meant. He was passionate,” his mother said. (Kingerski Family)
Ryan’s parents assert that his suicide was not a pre-existing result Mental health issues.
“If this is a mental health issue and if my son had dealt with before, I’m not talking about this,” Tim Kinkelsky said. “But there’s only one reason why he’s not here.”
Kingsky has since connected with other families who have had similar experiences. “We’re constantly hearing from people who say, ‘I don’t know if I can do this anymore, I don’t know if I can take it or not,” Ryan’s father said.
Ryan’s parents now aim to raise awareness and are seeking “transparency and accountability.” They also filed a complaint with the FDA.
“What we’re really looking for is accountability from the industry,” said Stephanie Kinkelski. “I want you to step up to the FDA, start researching, start looking deeper and start finding out what the long-term impact is.”
The Kingsky family is portrayed at the wedding of Ryan’s twin brother Jacob. (Kingerski Family)
“The implicit consent is just a piece of paper they give to you without explaining it,” Tim Kinkelsky pointed out. “The agreement should be said to have been caused and caused by Lasik. Permanent damage It makes you want to kill yourself. Because that’s true. ”
“People get hurt every day by something that is touted as safe and effective.
Left to right: Tim, Stephanie, Ryan and Jacob Kinkelski are portrayed on golf outings. (Kingerski Family)
Previous suicides have been reported after laser ophthalmology surgery.
In 2018, Michigan meteorologist Jessica Starr took her life two months after the procedure. She experienced chronic dry eyes Hazeaccording to local reports.
Starr left a video journal detailing her struggle, saying that she lived in “Six Weeks of Hell.”
In 2016, University of Texas student Max Cronin committed suicide at the age of 27. His obituary states that his death was “the result of catastrophic complications from selective laser ophthalmology surgery.”
Industry representatives say
Dr. James Kelly, a well-known New York City refractive surgeon specialist and comprehensive ophthalmologist, said he was unaware of the peer-reviewed literature reporting high suicide rates in patients with the same matched demographics and the same matched demographics that he had no procedures on.
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“The most common side effect is dry eyes. Effective treatmentand this condition often improves within months after the procedure,” he said.
“The most important message for patients with eye problems is seeking the care of experienced professionals, and the same applies to those experiencing mental health.”
Ryan Kinkelski (left) was the best man at the wedding of his twin brother Jacob in June 2024. (Kingerski Family)
“The Council on Refractive Disorder Surgery, an organization intended to help people make informed decisions about their choice of visual acuity correction, spoke to Fox News Digital to adhere to these procedures.
“The vast body of scientific data supports LASIK, which is safe and effective for those who are excellent candidates, which is something the FDA has repeatedly affirmed and verified in independent research,” the spokesman said.
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For those considering vision correction procedures, the council recommends that they be “notified as much as possible” including understanding whether they are good candidates, selecting the right surgeon and having a thorough conversation with the care team.
Ryan Kinkelsky is portrayed with his mother Stephanie. (Kingerski Family)
“As with everything Surgical proceduresthere is a risk of side effects and complications from LASIK, the spokesman said.
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The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) also commented on the situation on Fox News Digital.
“We don’t know the clinical details of Ryan’s case, but we know that the answer to the question of why he chose to die by suicide is complicated and is relevant in most cases. Depression and emotional trauma“AOO CEO, CEO, MD, Stephen D. McLeod,” said.
“Like all surgical procedures, there is a risk of side effects and complications from Lasik.”
“I don’t know what role LASIK itself played. Nevertheless, this is a tragedy and our hearts are directed towards Ryan Kinkelsky’s family.”
The Academy said that “most patients” are good candidates, but “Lasik is not for everyone.”
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“The Academy recommends patients’ stories. With an ophthalmologist To understand the potential risks and ensure they are good candidates, MacLeod advised.
Fox News Digital has requested comment from Lasik and the FDA.
