While contact lenses may be convenient for those who want to ditch eyeglasses, they come with a list of important rules on how to safely use them.
According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, many people choose not to follow those rules, which can lead to serious vision and health consequences.
>>Read more about the study and usage tips
Chad Groeschen knows all too well the damage that can occur and shared his story with BuzzFeed to prevent others from experiencing the same fate.
Goreschen used to sleep into his extended-wear contact lenses for up to a week. He had no problems with this routine until one morning, he woke up with itchy eyes. His symptoms progressed quickly despite going to the doctor for what he thought was a sinus infection or allergies. By the third day, he was experiencing intense pain and had almost no vision in one eye. A specialist informed Goreschen that his eye was infected with Pseudomonas bacteria.
The infection caused blindness in one eye. While the bacteria doesn’t always lead to blindness, doctors say serious damage to the eye due to poor contact lens hygiene is more common that one might thing.
Doctors believe that Goreschen’s habit of sleeping in his contact lenses caused the infection.
According to his Facebook page, Goreschen is feeling much better but his vision is still “wonky.” Doctors say he may need a corneal transplant to restore his vision.
Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.
Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
With the largest team in the state, the AJC reports what’s really going on with your tax dollars and your elected officials. Subscribe today. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.
Your subscription to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.