It's time to dink and backhand with your eyes on the ball. Pickleball, a game that combines some of the most loved games such as tennis, badminton and ping-pong has quickly become a crowd favourite. From celebrities to sports enthusiasts, people have been hitting the court quite often to play this game.

Its low-impact design, simple rules and accessibility have made it so popular that in 2024, a shocking 19.8M people played it. However, for Americans pickleball is proving to be a bit sour with the increasing cases of eye injuries being linked to the game.

Be picky with Pickleball


According to published in JAMA Ophthalmology , pickleball-related eye injuries have more than doubled between 2021 and 2024, exceeding 400 cases annually as compared to the previous decade.

“Pickleball-related eye injuries have increased at an alarming rate over the past four years as the sport continues to grow in popularity,” said the study authors.

The researchers analysed injury data kept by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and found that between 2005 and 2024, there were an estimated 3,112 pickleball-related eye injuries in the United States.

While 43% of injuries involved a direct hit from the ball, 28% were due to falls and 12% from a paddle hit.

What does the doctor say?


“People often think of pickleball as an easier sport. It may be lower velocity compared to other types of racquet sports, but it’s still a hard ball that moves fast,” Dr. Matthew Gorski, an ophthalmologist at Northwell Health, told The Post.

“You’re in close quarters, and the court is much smaller than something like tennis.”

According to Gorski, the eye injuries range from cuts around the eyes to bruising to corneal abrasions or eye inflammation. While earlier the game was deemed to be one for seniors, the average player now ages 35, as per the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA).

However, it is important to note that these pickleball-related injuries were in patients 50 and above. “Many older patients are not as agile to avoid trauma or contact from a ball or paddle or have pre-existing eye diseases that would put them at higher risk for a significant eye injury,” Gorski said.

A history of pickleball-related eye injuries


The study underlines a harmful risk of the game which many have faced and shared. In 2023, actress Michelle Pfeiffer , 67, revealed that she sustained a black eye playing pickleball and in 2022, broadcaster Savannah Guthrie , 53, shared the tale of a similar injury.

In order to protect the eyes, Gorski recommended American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F3164 protective eyewear. “You want to ensure your eye protection is made of a proper material that will safely protect your eyes in the event of contact with either the paddle or the ball,” he said.

With the research, researchers are hopeful that the importance of eye protection in casual and professional pickleball will be highlighted and encouraged.