Amateur Pickleball Players Risk Eye Injuries by Wearing Regular Eyeglasses on Court, Study Warns

Amateur pickleball players report that their regular prescription eyeglasses are the most common eyewear they use on the court, despite safer options and a rising rate of eye injuries, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Pickleball has surged in popularity in recent years and is enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. Accordingly, pickleball-related injuries have become more common, with a nearly sevenfold increase in injuries between 2017 and 2022, researchers noted.

While the sport’s growth has brought health and social benefits, it has also led to a significant rise in eye injuries. A study published this week in JAMA Ophthalmology estimates that the incidence of pickleball-related eye injuries has increased dramatically, going up by an estimated 405 cases each year from 2021 to 2024.

Researchers analyzed data from a representative population of patients in emergency departments across the United States to understand which players are especially vulnerable to eye injuries and how they occurred. From there, they estimated national trends based on this data.

The study found that 70% of pickleball-related eye injury cases occurred in adults aged 50 years or older. This finding surprised some experts, as a large share of sports-related injuries typically occur in younger players.

Despite the availability of safer protective eyewear, only 38.81% of pickleball players who used eyewear on the court wore dedicated protective glasses. The majority continued to rely on regular prescription eyeglasses, which do not provide adequate protection against high-impact balls or paddles.

Experts emphasize that standardized guidelines for eye protection could reduce up to 90% of sports-related eye injuries. Other sports, such as squash, have already implemented such mandates with success.

Given the alarming increase in eye injury cases, study authors called for developing standardized guidelines for eye protection in pickleball, including posting them outside courts to increase player awareness of the risks.