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Posted by: The Retina Clinic in Uncategorized

Eye Safety Tips for America’s Fastest-Growing Sport

Pickleball is booming — but so are eye injuries.

Recent research published in JAMA Ophthalmology shows that over 88% of pickleball-related eye injuries occurred between 2022–2024, with cases increasing more than 400 per year as participation soars.

What’s Happening

  • More than 3,000 eye injuries from pickleball have been estimated nationwide.
  • Players over 50 are most likely to experience serious eye trauma.
  • Common causes include direct hits from balls or paddles and falls on court.
  • Serious injuries reported include retinal detachment, hyphema (bleeding in the eye), orbital fractures, and corneal abrasions.

Why Eye Protection Matters

While pickleball currently has no eye-protection requirement, optometrists and ophthalmologists recommend adopting the same standards used in tennis, racquetball, and squash.

Protective eyewear can prevent most eye injuries — and education campaigns double the likelihood players will wear it.

How to Protect Your Eyes

1. Wear protective eyewear — choose lenses made from polycarbonate or Trivex®, which are impact-resistant and shatterproof.

2. Skip regular sunglasses — they can break on impact and lack adequate side protection.

3. If you’ve had prior eye surgery, high myopia, or are on blood thinners, take extra precautions.

4. Encourage your club or league to promote an Eye Safety Awareness Week or adopt a Protect Your Vision policy.

5. See your optometrist or ophthalmologist right away if you experience vision changes, flashes, or pain after an impact.

Remember

Pickleball is fun— until it isn’t.
Protect your eyes before you play.
Hindsight shouldn’t be 20/20.

(Content adapted from MedPage Today, October 16, 2025, reporting on research by Tsui et al., JAMA Ophthalmology.)

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