Brian Groeschen, 39, from Cincinnati, thought nothing of falling asleep with his contact lenses in. When he woke with a scratchy eye, he ignored it, but soon learned he had a serious corneal ulcer caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The infection developed under the lens and quickly endangered his eyesight.
Despite being labeled safe for overnight use, experts like Dr. William Faulkner caution that sleeping in contacts, even breathable ones, increases the risk of dangerous infections. Contacts limit oxygen to the eye and encourage bacterial growth. Brian’s infection was so bad that he needed a corneal transplant and his vision and daily life were deeply affected.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology urges people never to sleep in contacts unless a doctor specifically advises it. Proper hygiene—clean hands, fresh solution, regular case changes, and no reuse of old solution—is key to preventing infections. But the most critical advice is to remove lenses before sleeping.
Brian’s experience shows how one night of carelessness can lead to lasting harm. Protecting your vision means following safe lens practices every day.
