Sleeping in Your Contacts? One Man’s Painful Lesson and What Every Wearer Should Know
When 39-year-old Brian Groeschen woke up with a scratchy eye, he assumed it was a bit of irritation that would fade by lunchtime. Instead, a few days later he was in an exam chair at the Cincinnati Eye Institute, learning that the discomfort was a sight-threatening infection.
The Diagnosis
Specialists discovered a corneal ulcer—an open sore on the eye’s clear front window—caused by the aggressive bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The micro-organism had found the perfect breeding ground between Groeschen’s eye and the soft contact lens he’d slept in the night before.
The Habit That Triggered It
Groeschen routinely left his lenses in overnight. While the packaging claimed his brand was approved for extended wear, ophthalmologists say sleeping in any contact lens multiplies infection risk.
“We see the worst corneal ulcers in patients who wear lenses to bed,” explained Dr. William Faulkner, the ophthalmologist who treated him. “The eye needs oxygen and a clean surface; a lens blocks both.”
The American Academy of Ophthalmology echoes that warning: overnight lens wear—no matter how “breathable” the material—dramatically raises the chance of microbial invasion.
The Aftermath
Even with fast treatment, Groeschen’s cornea scarred, sharply reducing vision in that eye. A corneal transplant became the only option; the surgery and lengthy healing period sidelined him from daily tasks at his design-restoration business.
Protecting Your Eyes: Five Rules
- Take lenses out before sleeping unless your eye-care professional has explicitly prescribed continuous-wear lenses—and rethink it even then.
- Wash and dry hands before touching lenses.
- Disinfect properly: use fresh solution each time; never “top off” the old liquid.
- Clean or replace the case every few months to stop bacterial buildup.
- Follow the replacement calendar for daily, bi-weekly, or monthly lenses; stretching wear time is false economy.
Regular eye exams will confirm your lenses still fit well and your corneas remain healthy.
The Takeaway
What felt like a minor shortcut—leaving contacts in overnight—cost Groeschen months of vision problems and major surgery. His experience is a stark reminder: small lapses in lens hygiene can have permanent consequences. Treat your eyes with the same care you give the rest of your health—and give them a break while you sleep.
