Imagine going in for a routine, 15-minute eye procedure something marketed as so safe and common that nearly a million Americans do it every year only to come out with pain so relentless it makes daily life unbearable. Now imagine being told to “give it time” as that pain drags on for weeks, then months, until the idea of ending your life feels like the only way out.
Since LASIK was FDA-approved in 1999, millions have undergone the laser vision correction procedure. For most, it delivers the promised results. But for a growing number of patients, the aftermath has been devastating: constant eye pain, distorted vision, and a steep mental health decline that, in some tragic cases, ended in suicide.
Despite official claims that serious complications affect “less than one percent” of patients, mounting stories from grieving families and former patients tell a different story one of dismissed symptoms, unacknowledged suffering, and an industry unwilling to fully confront its risks.
So why are these cases still being labeled as “rare,” and what should people know before signing the dotted line?
A Pattern Too Painful to Ignore
Over the last decade, a disturbing trend has emerged: a growing number of people have taken their own lives after LASIK eye surgery. These weren’t patients with a history of mental illness or existing psychological distress. Many were otherwise healthy, active individuals who underwent what was marketed as a routine, low-risk procedure only to experience severe complications that disrupted their lives and, in several cases, drove them into despair.
One of the most recent and public examples is Ryan Kingerski, a 26-year-old Pennsylvania police officer. He opted for LASIK in August 2024, expecting to return to work in a few days. Instead, he was left with debilitating symptoms: constant headaches, double vision, light sensitivity, and dark floaters clouding his sight. Despite consulting multiple specialists, nothing helped. Five months later, Ryan ended his life, leaving a note that read: “LASIK took everything from me. I can’t take it anymore.”
Ryan’s case isn’t isolated. In 2018, Jessica Starr, a 35-year-old TV meteorologist from Detroit, died by suicide two months after her procedure. Her husband said she had no history of depression. Her suicide note and video diaries blamed unbearable dry eye and vision issues for her decline. That same year, Paul Fitzpatrick, a Canadian father, took his life after suffering two decades of post-LASIK pain. His note described burning sensations so intense he could barely keep his eyes open.
Patients who survive sometimes speak of suicidal thoughts that linger for years. Paula Cofer, who had LASIK in 2000, endured two years of suicidal ideation and now runs a support group for others. She claims to personally know at least 40 individuals who have died by suicide after the procedure. “Not everyone has severe complications,” she says, “but a lot more people are suffering than you know.”
What LASIK Is and What Can Go Wrong
LASIK short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis is an elective surgical procedure designed to correct common vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It involves using a precision laser to reshape the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, so that light entering the eye is properly focused onto the retina. The goal is simple: to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.
The entire process usually takes less than 30 minutes, and for most patients, the results are almost immediate. By the next day, many people report clearer vision and a quick return to normal activities. It’s no surprise then that more than 10 million Americans have had the procedure since the FDA approved it in 1999.
But the reality is more complicated than the marketing suggests.
The most commonly reported side effects include dry eyes, halos around lights, glare, night vision problems, and double vision. According to the FDA, up to 50% of patients report new visual symptoms like these in the early post-operative period most of which are temporary. But for some, these issues never go away.
More serious complications, though less publicized, can be life-altering. Some patients develop neuropathic corneal pain, a form of chronic eye pain believed to result from nerve damage during the flap-cutting phase of surgery. Others experience post-refractive ectasia, a condition where the cornea becomes progressively thinner and unstable sometimes requiring a corneal transplant. There are also reports of higher-order aberrations, complex distortions in vision that can’t be corrected with glasses or contacts.
A major concern raised by critics, including former FDA advisor Dr. Morris Waxler, is that the risks have been downplayed for years. Waxler, who led the original LASIK approval process, has since stated that complication rates are likely in the 10–30% range, far higher than the industry-promoted figure of “less than 1%.” He has publicly called for the procedure’s approval to be revoked, citing underreported harm and insufficient patient warnings.
Another issue is patient screening. Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK, but some clinics fail to perform thorough evaluations. People with thin corneas, dry eye disease, or fluctuating vision are more likely to experience complications, yet they’re still getting cleared for surgery. In Ryan Kingerski’s case, his mother said a corneal specialist later told them that Ryan’s corneas were too thin information that should have disqualified him before he ever entered the operating room.
Why Warnings Are Getting Louder
One of the most vocal critics is Dr. Morris Waxler, a former FDA official who led the team that approved LASIK in the 1990s. Years later, he openly admitted he regretted that decision. After reanalyzing post-market data, he concluded that the rate of serious complications is far higher than the industry claims estimating it could be 10 to 30 percent, not the widely touted “less than 1%.” In 2011, Waxler petitioned the FDA to withdraw its approval of the procedure, calling LASIK “a public health time bomb.”
The warning signs are also coming from inside the exam room. Dr. Edward Boshnick, a Miami-based optometrist who specializes in treating post-LASIK complications, described the surgery as “the biggest scam ever put on the American public.” He regularly treats patients who were left with distorted vision, chronic pain, and corneal nerve damage after LASIK. His practice uses specialized scleral lenses to help patients regain some level of comfort and visual clarity—often after they’ve exhausted every other option.
Patient advocates like Paula Cofer, who endured years of pain and suicidal thoughts after her own LASIK procedure, have taken their concerns public. She now runs a Facebook support group for people suffering from complications, and claims to know at least 40 people who have died by suicide as a result of post-LASIK suffering. “The LASIK lobby and surgeons keep saying only 1% of patients have problems,” she told The New York Post. “That’s not true and they know it.”
Part of the problem is systemic underreporting. The FDA requires clinics to report adverse events, including injuries and deaths related to LASIK, but many providers fail to comply. In an email to the family of Ryan Kingerski, the FDA acknowledged that these incidents often go unreported by ophthalmic clinics. That means public safety data is incomplete making it harder for prospective patients to assess real-world risks.
In 2022, the FDA released draft guidance urging providers to disclose potential risks more clearly, including psychological effects, vision disturbances, and chronic pain. But guidance isn’t enforcement and without mandatory changes to consent procedures or reporting requirements, many critics argue the system continues to fail patients.
Are You a Candidate? Key Risk Factors to Understand
One of the most overlooked aspects of LASIK is that not everyone is a good candidate yet too many people are cleared for surgery anyway. This isn’t just a paperwork issue; it’s a major reason why some patients end up with long-term complications that should have been avoidable.
Thin Corneas: A Silent Disqualifier
LASIK involves cutting a flap in the cornea and reshaping it with a laser. If your corneas are too thin, the surgery can compromise their structure, leading to complications like visual distortions or even corneal ectasia. This was the case with Ryan Kingerski his corneal thickness should have ruled him out for surgery, but it was missed during screening.
Dry Eyes: A Common but Underestimated Risk
One of the most reported side effects after LASIK is chronic dry eye. If you already suffer from dry eyes, the procedure can worsen the condition, sometimes permanently. Burning, stinging, and gritty sensations are not just inconvenient they can be debilitating.
Unstable Vision and Age Factors
If your prescription has changed within the last one to two years, LASIK isn’t advised. Vision typically stabilizes by the mid-20s, and performing the procedure too early increases the chance you’ll need corrective lenses again. On the other end of the spectrum, older adults may be developing eye conditions like cataracts, which make LASIK less effective or even harmful.
Medical Conditions That Interfere with Healing
Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can impair the eye’s ability to heal after surgery. Likewise, uncontrolled diabetes or certain skin conditions (like eczema around the eyes) may increase the risk of post-operative complications.
Medications That Affect Vision and Healing
Certain drugs like isotretinoin (for acne), antihistamines, antidepressants, and medications for ADHD can reduce tear production or interfere with your body’s ability to recover. This can lead to worse dry eye symptoms or delayed healing after surgery.
The Importance of Thorough Screening
Many patients report quick, minimal evaluations before being cleared for surgery sometimes in the same visit as their consultation. This rushed process increases the chance that key red flags will be missed. A proper screening should include corneal mapping, tear film testing, medical history review, and a detailed discussion about your lifestyle and eye health.
Take Ownership of the Decision
Ask direct questions. Disclose everything about your health, even if it seems unrelated. A responsible surgeon won’t pressure you into making a decision or gloss over the risks. If anything feels off, walk away. You only get one set of eyes treat them with caution, not convenience.
If You’ve Had LASIK and You’re Struggling
For those who’ve already undergone LASIK and are dealing with unexpected symptoms, you’re not alone and you’re not imagining it. A significant number of patients report lingering side effects that can affect both vision and quality of life. If you’re struggling, there are concrete steps you can take.
Know what’s normal and what’s not.
Mild dry eye, glare, halos, or slightly blurry vision can be common in the first few weeks or months after surgery. But if these issues persist beyond three to six months, or if symptoms get worse instead of better, it’s time to take them seriously. Pain that feels sharp, burning, or constant especially if it interferes with daily activities warrants immediate medical attention.
Get a second opinion from a specialist.
If your original surgeon isn’t responsive or dismisses your concerns, seek out a corneal specialist or an optometrist who works with post-LASIK patients. Some clinics, like Dr. Edward Boshnick’s practice in Miami, specialize in restoring vision and comfort using advanced tools such as scleral lenses large, dome-shaped contacts that cover the entire cornea and help protect and hydrate the eye. Multiple patients, including Paula Cofer and Abraham Rutner, have reported significant relief after being fitted with these lenses.
Document your symptoms.
Keep a record of what you’re experiencing when the pain occurs, how it affects your vision, and any changes over time. Bring this with you to appointments. Detailed documentation helps providers better understand your condition and can also be useful if you file a complaint with the FDA or seek legal counsel.
Don’t ignore your mental health.
Ongoing physical pain and loss of function can take a serious toll on mental well-being. It’s not uncommon for patients dealing with chronic eye problems to feel depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. If you’re experiencing these feelings, reach out for help whether through a licensed mental health professional or support networks like the LASIK Complications Support Group on Facebook. Talking to others who understand your experience can be validating and helpful.
Know that options exist.
While some LASIK complications may be permanent, many can be managed or reduced with the right care. New treatments, including nerve regeneration therapies, scleral lenses, and customized medications, are helping patients regain some comfort and functionality. Progress may be slow, but improvement is possible.
Why Informed Consent Needs to Be Real
For a procedure so widely marketed and trusted, LASIK carries a surprising gap between promise and reality. At the heart of this issue is informed consent or more accurately, the lack of it. Too many patients go into surgery thinking it’s a low-risk fix with near-perfect outcomes, only to learn too late that complications can be life-changing and, for some, life-ending.
Consent forms often downplay or vaguely reference risks. Terms like “dry eye” or “visual disturbances” are listed without context, giving no sense of how debilitating these symptoms can become when they persist. There’s rarely any mention of severe outcomes like chronic pain, neuropathic corneal damage, or the psychological toll these issues can take. Patients like Ryan Kingerski weren’t just failed by a surgery they were failed by a system that didn’t tell them the full story before they agreed to it.
The problem isn’t that LASIK always goes wrong. The majority of patients do well. But for the minority who don’t, the impact can be devastating and predictable. Industry voices often claim that serious complications are rare, but when “rare” affects thousands of people and ends dozens of lives, it’s not rare enough. It’s also not acceptable that those numbers continue to be underreported, or that people are still being cleared for surgery despite having clear risk factors.
Informed consent shouldn’t be a checkbox. It should be a real conversation one where patients are told, plainly, what can go wrong and how often it does. It means providers taking the time to evaluate candidates properly and rejecting those who aren’t suitable, even if it means losing a sale. It means being transparent, not persuasive.
Elective surgery carries a higher burden of responsibility precisely because it’s not medically necessary. When something goes wrong, patients don’t just lose their vision they lose trust, safety, and in the worst cases, their lives. That’s why this issue isn’t just about vision correction. It’s about ethical medicine.
Patients deserve the truth. Not filtered data. Not sales language. Just the truth
before they say yes.
