Should Pickleball Players Be Required to Wear Eye Protection? The Fast-Growing Sport Faces a Safety Reckoning

Pickleball’s Popularity — and Injury Rates — Are Soaring

Pickleball is no longer a backyard pastime — it’s a national obsession. Nearly 20 million Americans now play, drawn to its accessibility and social atmosphere. But as participation skyrockets, so do the injuries.

A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology — and reported by NPR — reveals a troubling trend: pickleball-related eye injuries have risen dramatically, increasing by an estimated 405 cases per year between 2021 and 2024. Players are showing up in emergency rooms with corneal abrasions, lacerations around the eye, and inflamed irises, injuries that can lead to long-term vision problems.

Researchers say the majority of victims — nearly 70% — are adults aged 50 and older, a demographic that’s embraced pickleball as a low-impact sport but may not be aware of the risks.

Eye Injuries on the Rise: What the New Research Shows

The study analyzed national emergency department data to estimate how, and in whom, these eye injuries occur. The causes vary — balls striking the eye, collisions with paddles or other players, and falls on the fast-paced, compact court.

Dr. Corey Lacher, the study’s lead author and an ophthalmology resident at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, told NPR that many players underestimate the risks because the sport uses a light plastic “wiffle ball.” But the speed and proximity of play mean that “everything is very fast-paced… and you’re playing on a very small court.”

According to the study’s authors, up to 90% of sports-related eye injuries could be prevented with proper eye protection. Yet, unlike sports such as squash or racquetball, pickleball has no standardized safety requirements or equipment guidelines for eyewear.

Should Associations and Professional Leagues Require Eye Protection?

That’s the question now facing the sport’s governing bodies and professional leagues. If football mandates helmets and soccer requires shin guards, shouldn’t pickleball require eye protection?

The JAMA Ophthalmology researchers think so — and many ophthalmologists agree. Eye protection standards have long existed for other racquet sports under the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM F3164) guidelines, which specify shatter-resistant polycarbonate eyewear.

Yet, USA Pickleball, the sport’s national governing body, has not issued any mandates or formal recommendations for protective eyewear. As a result, players are left to choose from a wide range of unregulated products — from $10 generic goggles to $160 high-performance models — with no guidance on what truly protects them.

Dr. Daniel Henick, an ophthalmology resident at Yale and an avid pickleball player, has been studying why players don’t wear eye protection. He says the main reason is lack of awareness — most players don’t realize how common or serious these injuries can be. Having posted safety guidelines, better product education, and professional players modeling eyewear use could make a difference.

Should Pickleball Facilities Be Responsible for Player Safety?

Beyond national associations, local facilities and clubs may also play a role in promoting safety — and in some cases, preventing liability exposure.

When a facility hosts organized games or tournaments, there is an expectation of reasonable safety measures. That doesn’t necessarily mean players must wear protective gear, but it does mean facilities should warn of known risks and provide guidance consistent with industry standards.

If the data now shows that eye injuries are a predictable hazard — particularly for older adults — some might argue that ignoring the risk borders on negligence. Posting safety recommendations, offering protective gear for sale or rental, or including injury warnings in membership materials could be prudent steps to protect both players and operators.

Could Leagues and Facilities Face Legal Exposure?

The legal implications are still developing, but if the injury trend continues and awareness grows, liability exposure could follow.

Under general negligence principles, a facility or league can be held responsible if it fails to take reasonable steps to protect participants from foreseeable harm. Once a risk is well-documented — as these studies now suggest — courts may view the failure to act as a breach of duty of care, especially if an injured player can show the harm was preventable.

For example:

• A facility that advertises “safe and friendly pickleball for all ages” but fails to warn about eye injury risks might face claims of misrepresentation or inadequate warnings.

• A league that knows about the ASTM F3164 standard but does nothing to educate players could be accused of negligent oversight.

• If professional organizations continue to grow in sponsorship and prize money, they may also face pressure to adopt formal player-safety rules, much like other major sports have.

While no lawsuits have yet tested these issues in court, the legal landscape could shift quickly as injuries rise and awareness spreads.

What Safe Play Looks Like — and How to Protect Yourself

Until formal standards are established, ophthalmologists recommend eyewear made of shatter-resistant polycarbonate and labeled as compliant with ASTM F3164. These are designed to withstand high-velocity impacts without cracking or splintering.

Equally important is education:

• Facilities should post safety reminders at courts and on registration forms.

• Coaches and league organizers should normalize protective eyewear as part of responsible play.

• Players should understand that even minor eye injuries can have permanent consequences.

As Dr. Henick told NPR, “We’re talking about hundreds, if not thousands, of injuries every year that could be prevented with what could be a relatively simple intervention.”

At KBD Attorneys, We Advocate for Safety and Accountability

At Ketterer, Browne & Davani, LLC, we believe that prevention and accountability go hand in hand. Whether it’s unsafe equipment, negligent facility management, or a failure to warn players about known hazards, safety rules exist for a reason — to protect people before they get hurt.

As pickleball continues to grow, so must its commitment to safety. Requiring protective eyewear isn’t about regulation for regulation’s sake — it’s about ensuring that a game designed for connection and health doesn’t become a source of preventable harm.