JAMA Ophthalmol

Pickleball boom drives surge in eye injuries

October 20, 2025

Pickleball-related eye injuries are increasing rapidly, especially among older adults. Despite the severity of some injuries, eye protection isn't mandated for casual or professional play. Authors recommend establishing standardized eye protection guidelines to mitigate risk as the sport continues to grow in popularity.

Study details: This cross-sectional analysis used the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) to identify pickleball-related ocular injuries presenting to U.S. EDs from 2005 to 2024. The study generated national estimates and examined patient demographics, injury mechanisms, and injury types.

Results: An estimated 3,112 pickleball-related ocular injuries occurred over the study period, with 1,262 cases in 2024 alone. Incidence increased sharply, rising by 405 cases annually from 2021 to 2024 (P = 0.004). Patients aged 50 years or older accounted for a significantly higher proportion of injuries (difference, 39%; P = 0.03). Severe injuries included retinal detachment, orbital fracture, globe trauma, and hyphema. Most injuries resulted from direct hits by pickleballs, paddles, or falls.

Source:

Lacher CR, Koc I, Tsui JC. (2025, October 16). JAMA Ophthalmol. Pickleball-Related Ocular Injuries Among Patients Presenting to Emergency Departments. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41100112/