**Warning: This story contains graphic images some readers may find upsetting
A Cincinnati man has reportedly been blinded in one eye after he repeatedly slept with his contact lenses in.
Chad Groeschen told Buzfeed that he noticed his eyes begin to itch constantly last month. After assuming it was merely a sinus infection, Groeschen bought over-the-counter drops to correct his problem.
It was only when he woke up the next day that he realised that he could no longer see out of his left eye. The infection was causing Chad a lot of pain, so he booked in to see a specialist to have a closer inspection.
Chad was left speechless when he was told that his left eye had become infected with pseudomonas bacteria – a bacteria that had grown between his eye and contact lens whiel he slept.
Speaking to Buzfeed, the 39-year old said he was shocked by the news – especially as he wore ‘extended wear’ contacts which are intended to be worn anything from one to four weeks:
“[The] contact kind of acts like a petri dish.
“If anything happens to your eye seek a specialist immediately…(and) maintain impeccable hygiene when it comes to your eyes.”
Even more disturbing was the news that Chad will now need to undergo a cornea transplant if he wants to get his vision back.
According to Dr. Thomas Steinemann, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, sleeping with contact lenses significantly increases the risk of corneal infection, no matter what type one is wearing.
He also added:
“a contact wearer can lose his or her sight by falling victim to a “perfect storm” of careless acts including swimming with contact lenses, sleeping with contact lenses and not fully replacing his or her lens solution.”
So how can you best protect your eyes?
Steinemann suggests reading the instructions for your contacts carefully, keeping them in clean, sterile conditions, regularly changing your lens solution and replacing contacts regularly to avoid a build-up of bacteria.
H/T Buzzfeed
