Chad Groeschen, a Cincinnati man, learned the hard way that sleeping in contact lenses can have devastating consequences. Groeschen, who wore “Night and Day” contacts, woke up one morning with excruciating pain in his eye and cloudy vision. He soon discovered that he had developed a corneal ulcer infected with Pseudomonas bacteria, likely caused by sleeping in his extended-wear contact lenses.
Groeschen’s experience is not an isolated incident. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 41 million people in the United States wear contact lenses, and many of them engage in risky behaviors that put their vision in danger. A CDC study revealed that 82.3% of contact lens wearers keep their lenses in longer than recommended, while 50% wear them while sleeping.
The consequences of these actions can be severe. Groeschen, who was 39 at the time of the incident, was told that he would likely need a corneal transplant to restore his sight. Similarly, Mike Krumholz, a 22-year-old baseball player, may be permanently blind after taking a 40-minute nap with daily disposable contacts still in his eyes.
Krumholz’s story is a chilling reminder of the dangers of sleeping in contact lenses. After waking up with an itchy and light-sensitive eye, he was diagnosed with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare parasite that can cause blindness. Krumholz’s experience has left him unable to step outside for over 30 days, and he faces an uncertain future regarding his vision.
The CDC and eye specialists urge contact lens wearers to practice good eye hygiene to prevent eye infections. This includes washing hands before touching contact lenses, taking them out before sleeping, showering, or swimming, and rubbing and rinsing contacts in disinfecting solution each time they are removed.
Groeschen and Krumholz’s stories serve as a warning to contact lens wearers to take their eye health seriously. By practicing good eye hygiene and avoiding risky behaviors, individuals can reduce their risk of developing eye infections and protect their vision.
