Pickleball Eye Protection and Injury Prevention Guide

Eye protection is optional in pickleball, and most players do not wear it, but the case for it has become hard to ignore. A 2025 study in JAMA Ophthalmology estimated more than 1,200 pickleball-related eye injuries treated in US emergency departments in 2024, rising by about 405 injuries a year since 2021. Forty-three percent came from the ball, 28 percent from falls and 12 percent from a paddle; the injuries ranged from cuts around the eye to retinal detachments and orbital fractures, and about 70 percent were in players aged 50 or older. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends eyewear that meets the ASTM F3164 standard for racket sports; USA Pickleball does not mandate it. This guide covers what to buy, how to make it tolerable, and the other common injuries (ankle, Achilles, elbow, falls) and how to reduce them.

This is general information, not medical advice. See a clinician for any injury.

What the data shows

The study, from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, used the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System to estimate pickleball eye injuries from 2005 to 2024:

• About 3,112 eye injuries over the whole period, with more than 1,200 in 2024 alone.
• An average increase of 405 cases a year between 2021 and 2024, tracking the sport's growth to roughly 20 million participants.
• Mechanisms: direct ball hit 43 percent, falls 28 percent, paddle strikes 12 percent.
• Diagnoses: periocular laceration 35 percent, corneal abrasion 16 percent, retinal detachment 3 percent, globe trauma 3 percent, orbital fracture 2 percent, plus iritis and hyphema.
• Mean age 54; around 70 percent of patients were 50 or older, and older players were more likely to suffer the severe injuries.

Why pickleball specifically: modern paddles send the ball at up to around 60 mph, players stand about 14 feet apart at the kitchen line, and the ball is hard plastic. The commentary accompanying the study noted that USA Pickleball has no mandate or guidance on eye protection and suggested it consider the Academy's recommendations.

What eyewear to look for

The standard. The American Academy of Ophthalmology points to ASTM F3164, the racket-sports impact standard. Eyewear that meets it has been tested against a ball at speed. Ordinary sunglasses and prescription glasses are not impact-rated and can shatter into the eye; the older ASTM F803 standard covers similar ground and is still printed on some products.

Lens material. Polycarbonate or Trivex. Both are impact-resistant and light; polycarbonate is the usual choice.

Fit. Wraparound or close-fitting frames that cover the orbit, with a strap or grippy temples. Gaps at the side are where a ball at the kitchen line gets in.

Lens tint. Clear for indoor, a light grey or amber for outdoor glare. Photochromic lenses handle both. Avoid dark lenses indoors.

Prescription. Rated goggles that take a prescription insert exist; so do over-the-glasses sports goggles. Both are better than playing in street glasses.

Fog. The reason people stop wearing eyewear. Look for vented frames and anti-fog coating; a small anti-fog cloth in the bag helps. Our bags and accessories guide lists the small items worth carrying.

Making it a habit

Wear them from your first games with a new pair so the field of view feels normal. Put them on before you walk onto the court, not after the first scary ball. Players who have been hit almost always wear them afterwards; the aim is to skip that step.

The other injuries

Eyes are the dramatic category. The common injuries are lower.

Falls

Twenty-eight percent of eye injuries in the study were from falls, and falls cause most of pickleball's fractures and wrist injuries. The main causes are backpedalling for a lob and stepping on a ball. Turn and run for lobs instead of backing up; clear loose balls before every point; do balance work (single-leg stands, the "write the alphabet with your foot" drill the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society recommends).

Ankle sprains and Achilles injuries

The AOFAS lists ankle sprains, Achilles tendon ruptures and ankle fractures as pickleball's common foot and ankle injuries, with the biggest risk in people going from sedentary to a push-off sport without easing in. Their advice: warm up (a light jog and calf stretches), wear shoes built for side-to-side movement rather than running shoes, add variety to your exercise, let injuries heal fully and use a brace if you tend to roll an ankle. See court shoes vs running shoes and the shoe guide.

Elbow and shoulder

Pickleball elbow is lateral epicondylitis from gripping and wrist-flicking. Lighter paddles, a looser grip, tacky overgrips so you do not clench, and forearm strengthening help; see overgrips and paddle setup. Shoulder pain usually comes from overhead smashes with a cold shoulder; warm it up.

Knee

Lunging for dinks and sudden stops load the knee. Court shoes with a stable base, strength work (split squats, step-downs) and not playing four hours on your first day are the preventers.

Heat

Outdoor courts in summer put older players at real heat risk. Shade between games, water, electrolytes on long sessions, and stopping when you feel off. Covered and indoor courts are filterable in the court directory.

A pre-play routine that covers most of it

1. Five minutes of walking or easy jogging, then calf and hip stretches.
2. Ten slow shadow swings and some side shuffles.
3. Eyewear on, laces tight, loose balls cleared.
4. First game at 80 percent.

When to see someone

Any blow to the eye with blurred vision, floaters, flashes, pain with light or a visible cut needs same-day assessment; retinal detachment is time-sensitive. A "pop" in the calf or an inability to push off on the toes is an Achilles emergency. Ankle swelling you cannot weight-bear through should be x-rayed.

FAQ

Do you need eye protection for pickleball?

It is not required by USA Pickleball, but ophthalmologists recommend it: more than 1,200 pickleball eye injuries reached US emergency rooms in 2024, most from the ball.

What eye protection standard should I look for?

ASTM F3164, the racket-sports impact standard recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Polycarbonate lenses, wraparound fit.

Are regular glasses safe for pickleball?

No. Street glasses are not impact-rated and can break into the eye. Use rated sports goggles, with a prescription insert if needed.

What is the most common pickleball injury?

Across all injuries, falls and lower-limb problems (ankle sprains, Achilles injuries, knee strain) dominate. Eye injuries are rarer but more severe and rising fastest.

Sources

• American Medical Association, "Look out! As pickleball's popularity soars, so do eye injuries" (16 October 2025), summarising JAMA Ophthalmology
• The Ophthalmologist, "Pickleball Panic Over Eye Injuries" (12 November 2025)
• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, "6 Tips to Prevent Pickleball Injuries to Your Feet & Ankles" (30 May 2024)