Chad Groeschen’s vision was taken by the very thing that allowed him to see: his contact lenses. Deceived by “Night and Day” contacts, which claim users can sleep with them on, Groeschen developed a dangerous eye infection after repeatedly sleeping with the lenses in. In 2015, he woke up with excruciating pain and cloudy vision in his left eye. Doctors discovered he had a corneal ulcer infected with Pseudomonas bacteria, likely caused by sleeping in the extended-wear lenses. Groeschen, a sculptor, was told he would need a corneal transplant to restore his sight.
Studies show that wearing contacts overnight increases the risk of corneal infection. Groeschen’s story is a cautionary tale, as 82% of contact lens users engage in risky behaviors like wearing them too long or sleeping with them in. The CDC reports that one in 500 contact lens users develop serious eye infections yearly. Groeschen urges others to “maintain impeccable hygiene” to avoid such a fate, as his experience proves how essential it is to follow proper contact lens care and hygiene.
