Contact Lens Nightmare: Man Goes Blind After a Simple Mistake – Are You at Risk?

Wearing contact lenses has become routine for millions of people worldwide, offering convenience and clear vision without the hassle of glasses. However, this convenience can quickly turn into a nightmare, as illustrated by the harrowing experience of Chad Groeschen, a man who suffered severe consequences from a common oversight: sleeping in his contact lenses.

In 2015, Chad Groeschen, a sculptor from Cincinnati, made a decision that would alter his life dramatically. Like many others, he was using “Night and Day” contact lenses, which are marketed as safe for extended wear, including overnight. These lenses promised the freedom to sleep in them for up to 30 days, a feature that appealed to many busy individuals who wanted to simplify their routines. Groeschen, believing he was taking the safest approach by minimizing how often he handled his lenses, would only remove them about once a week.

However, what seemed like a harmless habit soon proved catastrophic. Groeschen woke up one morning with excruciating pain in his left eye, which had also become clouded with blindness. “Halfway through the day my eyes started itching, and I thought it was probably allergies, so I popped them out,” he recounted. But the next morning, the vision in his left eye turned cloudy, a sign of something far more serious than allergies.

Groeschen was diagnosed with a corneal ulcer, an infection caused by the Pseudomonas bacteria. This bacteria is known for its ability to thrive in moist environments, such as the space between a contact lens and the eye. In Groeschen’s case, his extended wear of the lenses allowed the bacteria to proliferate, turning his contact lens into what doctors described as a “petri dish” for the infection.

The result was devastating. Within days, Groeschen lost the vision in his left eye and was informed that he would likely need a corneal transplant to regain even partial sight. This life-altering event highlights the risks associated with improper contact lens use, even when following the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Groeschen’s case is not isolated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that millions of contact lens users in the United States engage in behaviors that put their eye health at risk. A study conducted by the CDC found that 82.3% of contact lens wearers keep their lenses in longer than recommended, over half fail to properly replace their lens solution, and 50% sleep with their lenses in—despite the known dangers.

Sleeping in contact lenses, regardless of whether they are designed for extended wear, significantly increases the risk of corneal infections. The American Academy of Ophthalmology emphasizes that overnight wear of contact lenses is a leading cause of such infections, which can lead to severe complications, including blindness.

Another recent and alarming case is that of Mike Krumholz, a young baseball player from Florida. In December 2022, Krumholz took a 40-minute nap with his daily disposable contacts still in. When he woke up, his eye was itchy and light-sensitive. Initially dismissing it as a minor issue, he soon realized that something was seriously wrong. Doctors diagnosed Krumholz with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but severe infection caused by a parasite that can lead to blindness. The parasite likely infiltrated his eye during the short nap he took with his contacts in.

Krumholz’s experience, like Groeschen’s, serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with improper contact lens use. Despite being a young, healthy athlete, Krumholz now faces the possibility of permanent vision loss in one eye. His ordeal, which he has shared publicly to raise awareness, underscores the critical importance of following safe contact lens practices.

The CDC and other health organizations offer several recommendations to help contact lens users protect their eyes:

1. Wash and dry hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses.
2. Always remove lenses before sleeping, showering, or swimming.
3. Rub and rinse lenses in disinfecting solution each time they are removed.
4. Properly care for the lens case by cleaning it with solution, drying it with a clean tissue, and storing it upside down with the caps off.
5. Replace lens cases every three months to avoid contamination.
6. Avoid topping off solution in the case—instead, use fresh solution every time.

While contact lenses offer the convenience of clear vision without the need for glasses, they also require diligent care and attention. The experiences of Groeschen and Krumholz are powerful reminders that even minor lapses in contact lens hygiene can lead to devastating consequences.

For anyone who wears contact lenses, it’s crucial to adhere to recommended guidelines and to be aware of the potential risks involved. Regular eye check-ups, proper lens care, and understanding the warning signs of an infection can go a long way in preventing serious complications. And most importantly, never underestimate the importance of removing your contact lenses before sleeping—no matter how safe the lenses claim to be.

By sharing these stories and spreading awareness, we can help ensure that others do not suffer the same fate as Chad Groeschen and Mike Krumholz. Protecting your vision should always be a top priority, and taking a few extra minutes each day to care for your contact lenses is a small price to pay for maintaining your eye health.