Key Takeaways
- Pickleball eye injuries surged to over 1,250 cases in 2024 alone
- Serious injuries include retinal detachment and broken eye sockets
- No current mandate for eye protection in professional or casual play
- Researchers call for standardized safety guidelines and education
US doctors report an alarming spike in eye injuries linked to pickleball, with over 1,250 documented cases in 2024 alone. A new study reveals the popular racquet sport has caused serious ocular damage including retinal detachment and fractured eye sockets.
Study Findings and Injury Statistics
Research published in JAMA Ophthalmology analyzed data from 2005 to 2024, identifying 3,112 pickleball-related eye injuries. The incidence increased by approximately 405 injuries annually between 2021 and 2024 as the sport’s popularity exploded.
In 2024, injury mechanisms included:
- 43% from being hit by the ball
- 28% from falls
- 12% from paddle strikes
Common injuries ranged from corneal abrasions and eyelid lacerations to more severe cases of retinal detachment and orbital fractures.
Lack of Safety Standards
Currently, neither casual nor professional pickleball mandates eye protection. USA Pickleball, the sport’s governing body, offers no official guidance on protective eyewear despite the rising injury rates.
Researchers noted that while increased injuries partly reflect the sport’s growth – with nearly 20 million US players – casual participants may be particularly vulnerable due to inexperience or unfamiliarity with game dynamics.
Call for Protective Measures
The study urges pickleball organizations to adopt evidence-based safety guidelines similar to those from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Researchers emphasized that educational campaigns have proven effective in other racquet sports like squash, where promotion increased protective eyewear use by 2.4 times.
“These data may inform changes in consumer protection recommendations,” the study authors wrote, highlighting the need for standardized eye safety protocols in this fast-growing sport.
