Chad Groeschen’s life changed forever when he woke up with excruciating pain in his eye and lost his vision. The culprit behind this tragedy was his contact lenses, which he had been wearing overnight despite the risks. Groeschen’s story serves as a warning to the millions of contact lens wearers worldwide: sleeping with your lenses in can have devastating consequences.
Groeschen, a Cincinnati resident, had been using “Night and Day” contact lenses, which are marketed for continuous wear for up to 30 days. However, he failed to realize that sleeping with his lenses in would increase his risk of developing a corneal infection. When he woke up with severe pain and cloudy vision, he knew something was terribly wrong.
A visit to the doctor revealed that Groeschen had developed a corneal ulcer infected with Pseudomonas bacteria, likely caused by sleeping in his extended-wear contact lenses. The infection left him blind in one eye, and he was told he would need a corneal transplant to restore his sight.
Groeschen’s story is not an isolated incident. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of one out of every 500 contact lens users develops a serious eye infection that can lead to blindness every year. The CDC also found that many contact lens wearers engage in risky behaviors, such as sleeping with their lenses in, topping off solution, and failing to replace their lens cases regularly.
Another victim of sleeping with contact lenses is Mike Krumholz, a 22-year-old baseball player from Florida. After taking a 40-minute nap with his daily disposable contacts still in, Krumholz woke up with an itchy, light-sensitive eye. He was diagnosed with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare parasite that can cause blindness.
Krumholz’s story is a stark reminder of the dangers of sleeping with contact lenses. He has been undergoing treatment for the parasite and is waiting for a corneal transplant to restore his vision. “I know that I’m never gonna see fully again,” he said.
To avoid the risks associated with contact lens wear, the CDC recommends practicing good eye hygiene, including washing your hands before touching your lenses, taking them out before sleeping, showering, or swimming, and replacing your lens case regularly. By taking these simple precautions, you can reduce your risk of developing a serious eye infection and protect your vision.
