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April 21, 2026<\/p>\n
2 min read<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n \n \n Add topic to email alerts \n <\/span> \n <\/p>\n\n\n \n Receive an email when new articles are posted on \n <\/p>\n\n Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on .<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n “ \n data-action=”subscribe”> \n Subscribe \n <\/button>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact customerservice@slackinc.com.<\/strong> <\/p>\nBack to Healio<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\nKey takeaways:<\/h2>\n\nOnly 38.81% of pickleball players who used eyewear on the court used dedicated protective glasses.<\/li>\nPickleball eye injuries are becoming increasingly common as the game becomes more popular.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAmateur pickleball players report that their regular prescription eyeglasses are the most common eyewear they use on the court, despite safer options and a rising rate of eye injuries, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology<\/i>.<\/p>\n\u201cPickleball has surged in popularity in recent years and is enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. Accordingly, pickleball-related injuries have become more common, with a nearly sevenfold increase in injuries between 2017 and 2022,\u201d Daniel Henick<\/b>, <\/b>MD<\/b>,<\/b> a hospital resident at Yale School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote. \u201cWhile most pickleball injuries are orthopedic or musculoskeletal in nature, eye injuries make up a small but meaningful subset. … The best way to prevent eye injuries while playing pickleball is to use protective eyewear.\u201d<\/p>\n \n \n \n \n <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture> \n Data derived from Henick D, et al. JAMA Ophthalmol<\/i>. 2026;doi:10.1001\/jamaophthalmol.2026.0027. \n <\/figcaption> \n <\/figure>\nTo see how often players currently wear protective eyewear, Henick and colleagues conducted a study comparing its use among professional vs. amateur pickleball players. They analyzed professionals\u2019 eyewear by reviewing footage from the 2025 Zimmer Biomet Masters pickleball tournament, while amateur players were assessed through a survey distributed at local courts in New Haven County, Connecticut.<\/p>\nThe survey was adapted from existing surveys aimed at squash players and distributed between May and September 2025. It asked players whether they wear protective eyewear when playing pickleball and included \u201cregular prescription glasses\u201d as a type of protective eyewear.<\/p>\nAmong amateur players who reported using protective eyewear, that eyewear was more often their own prescription glasses (61.19%) than dedicated protective glasses (38.81%).<\/p>\nThe researchers noted that published standards for protective eyewear in racket sports, including pickleball, recommend the use of impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses.<\/p>\n\u201cEyewear that does not meet specific standards can sometimes prevent injuries in low-impact situations, but paradoxically it may actually increase the risk of injury due to shattering and deformation in high-impact situations,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\nUse of protective eyewear was more common among self-described \u201cadvanced\u201d players than \u201cbeginners\u201d (53.97% vs. 11.11%) as well as more common among players aged 29 to 70 years than younger players (51.89% vs. 30.95%).<\/p>\nAmong amateurs who did not wear protective eyewear, the most commonly reported reasons were:<\/p>\n\nfogging and sweat making it uncomfortable (27.16%),<\/li>\nnever having considered it or the possibility of eye injuries (25.93%) and<\/li>\nnot seeing the risk as being that great (9.88%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAmateur players reported using protective eyewear more frequently (45.27%) than was observed among professionals (20%).<\/p>\nHenick and colleagues suggested that public awareness campaigns and incentives, such as free eyewear at local venues, could drive adoption of protective eyewear among pickleball players. <\/p>\n\u201cWhile the rate of pickleball-related eye injuries has surged in recent years, we are optimistic that implementation of the interventions outlined in this study and future endeavors can reduce unnecessary pickleball-related eye injuries as the sport continues to become more fast paced, accessible and popular,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n
\n Receive an email when new articles are posted on \n <\/p>\n\n Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on .<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n “ \n data-action=”subscribe”> \n Subscribe \n <\/button>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact customerservice@slackinc.com.<\/strong> <\/p>\nBack to Healio<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\nKey takeaways:<\/h2>\n\nOnly 38.81% of pickleball players who used eyewear on the court used dedicated protective glasses.<\/li>\nPickleball eye injuries are becoming increasingly common as the game becomes more popular.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAmateur pickleball players report that their regular prescription eyeglasses are the most common eyewear they use on the court, despite safer options and a rising rate of eye injuries, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology<\/i>.<\/p>\n\u201cPickleball has surged in popularity in recent years and is enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. Accordingly, pickleball-related injuries have become more common, with a nearly sevenfold increase in injuries between 2017 and 2022,\u201d Daniel Henick<\/b>, <\/b>MD<\/b>,<\/b> a hospital resident at Yale School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote. \u201cWhile most pickleball injuries are orthopedic or musculoskeletal in nature, eye injuries make up a small but meaningful subset. … The best way to prevent eye injuries while playing pickleball is to use protective eyewear.\u201d<\/p>\n \n \n \n \n <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture> \n Data derived from Henick D, et al. JAMA Ophthalmol<\/i>. 2026;doi:10.1001\/jamaophthalmol.2026.0027. \n <\/figcaption> \n <\/figure>\nTo see how often players currently wear protective eyewear, Henick and colleagues conducted a study comparing its use among professional vs. amateur pickleball players. They analyzed professionals\u2019 eyewear by reviewing footage from the 2025 Zimmer Biomet Masters pickleball tournament, while amateur players were assessed through a survey distributed at local courts in New Haven County, Connecticut.<\/p>\nThe survey was adapted from existing surveys aimed at squash players and distributed between May and September 2025. It asked players whether they wear protective eyewear when playing pickleball and included \u201cregular prescription glasses\u201d as a type of protective eyewear.<\/p>\nAmong amateur players who reported using protective eyewear, that eyewear was more often their own prescription glasses (61.19%) than dedicated protective glasses (38.81%).<\/p>\nThe researchers noted that published standards for protective eyewear in racket sports, including pickleball, recommend the use of impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses.<\/p>\n\u201cEyewear that does not meet specific standards can sometimes prevent injuries in low-impact situations, but paradoxically it may actually increase the risk of injury due to shattering and deformation in high-impact situations,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\nUse of protective eyewear was more common among self-described \u201cadvanced\u201d players than \u201cbeginners\u201d (53.97% vs. 11.11%) as well as more common among players aged 29 to 70 years than younger players (51.89% vs. 30.95%).<\/p>\nAmong amateurs who did not wear protective eyewear, the most commonly reported reasons were:<\/p>\n\nfogging and sweat making it uncomfortable (27.16%),<\/li>\nnever having considered it or the possibility of eye injuries (25.93%) and<\/li>\nnot seeing the risk as being that great (9.88%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAmateur players reported using protective eyewear more frequently (45.27%) than was observed among professionals (20%).<\/p>\nHenick and colleagues suggested that public awareness campaigns and incentives, such as free eyewear at local venues, could drive adoption of protective eyewear among pickleball players. <\/p>\n\u201cWhile the rate of pickleball-related eye injuries has surged in recent years, we are optimistic that implementation of the interventions outlined in this study and future endeavors can reduce unnecessary pickleball-related eye injuries as the sport continues to become more fast paced, accessible and popular,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n
“ \n data-action=”subscribe”> \n Subscribe \n <\/button>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact customerservice@slackinc.com.<\/strong> <\/p>\nBack to Healio<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\nKey takeaways:<\/h2>\n\nOnly 38.81% of pickleball players who used eyewear on the court used dedicated protective glasses.<\/li>\nPickleball eye injuries are becoming increasingly common as the game becomes more popular.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAmateur pickleball players report that their regular prescription eyeglasses are the most common eyewear they use on the court, despite safer options and a rising rate of eye injuries, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology<\/i>.<\/p>\n\u201cPickleball has surged in popularity in recent years and is enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. Accordingly, pickleball-related injuries have become more common, with a nearly sevenfold increase in injuries between 2017 and 2022,\u201d Daniel Henick<\/b>, <\/b>MD<\/b>,<\/b> a hospital resident at Yale School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote. \u201cWhile most pickleball injuries are orthopedic or musculoskeletal in nature, eye injuries make up a small but meaningful subset. … The best way to prevent eye injuries while playing pickleball is to use protective eyewear.\u201d<\/p>\n \n \n \n \n <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture> \n Data derived from Henick D, et al. JAMA Ophthalmol<\/i>. 2026;doi:10.1001\/jamaophthalmol.2026.0027. \n <\/figcaption> \n <\/figure>\nTo see how often players currently wear protective eyewear, Henick and colleagues conducted a study comparing its use among professional vs. amateur pickleball players. They analyzed professionals\u2019 eyewear by reviewing footage from the 2025 Zimmer Biomet Masters pickleball tournament, while amateur players were assessed through a survey distributed at local courts in New Haven County, Connecticut.<\/p>\nThe survey was adapted from existing surveys aimed at squash players and distributed between May and September 2025. It asked players whether they wear protective eyewear when playing pickleball and included \u201cregular prescription glasses\u201d as a type of protective eyewear.<\/p>\nAmong amateur players who reported using protective eyewear, that eyewear was more often their own prescription glasses (61.19%) than dedicated protective glasses (38.81%).<\/p>\nThe researchers noted that published standards for protective eyewear in racket sports, including pickleball, recommend the use of impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses.<\/p>\n\u201cEyewear that does not meet specific standards can sometimes prevent injuries in low-impact situations, but paradoxically it may actually increase the risk of injury due to shattering and deformation in high-impact situations,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\nUse of protective eyewear was more common among self-described \u201cadvanced\u201d players than \u201cbeginners\u201d (53.97% vs. 11.11%) as well as more common among players aged 29 to 70 years than younger players (51.89% vs. 30.95%).<\/p>\nAmong amateurs who did not wear protective eyewear, the most commonly reported reasons were:<\/p>\n\nfogging and sweat making it uncomfortable (27.16%),<\/li>\nnever having considered it or the possibility of eye injuries (25.93%) and<\/li>\nnot seeing the risk as being that great (9.88%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAmateur players reported using protective eyewear more frequently (45.27%) than was observed among professionals (20%).<\/p>\nHenick and colleagues suggested that public awareness campaigns and incentives, such as free eyewear at local venues, could drive adoption of protective eyewear among pickleball players. <\/p>\n\u201cWhile the rate of pickleball-related eye injuries has surged in recent years, we are optimistic that implementation of the interventions outlined in this study and future endeavors can reduce unnecessary pickleball-related eye injuries as the sport continues to become more fast paced, accessible and popular,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n
Back to Healio<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\nKey takeaways:<\/h2>\n\nOnly 38.81% of pickleball players who used eyewear on the court used dedicated protective glasses.<\/li>\nPickleball eye injuries are becoming increasingly common as the game becomes more popular.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAmateur pickleball players report that their regular prescription eyeglasses are the most common eyewear they use on the court, despite safer options and a rising rate of eye injuries, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology<\/i>.<\/p>\n\u201cPickleball has surged in popularity in recent years and is enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. Accordingly, pickleball-related injuries have become more common, with a nearly sevenfold increase in injuries between 2017 and 2022,\u201d Daniel Henick<\/b>, <\/b>MD<\/b>,<\/b> a hospital resident at Yale School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote. \u201cWhile most pickleball injuries are orthopedic or musculoskeletal in nature, eye injuries make up a small but meaningful subset. … The best way to prevent eye injuries while playing pickleball is to use protective eyewear.\u201d<\/p>\n \n \n \n \n <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture> \n Data derived from Henick D, et al. JAMA Ophthalmol<\/i>. 2026;doi:10.1001\/jamaophthalmol.2026.0027. \n <\/figcaption> \n <\/figure>\nTo see how often players currently wear protective eyewear, Henick and colleagues conducted a study comparing its use among professional vs. amateur pickleball players. They analyzed professionals\u2019 eyewear by reviewing footage from the 2025 Zimmer Biomet Masters pickleball tournament, while amateur players were assessed through a survey distributed at local courts in New Haven County, Connecticut.<\/p>\nThe survey was adapted from existing surveys aimed at squash players and distributed between May and September 2025. It asked players whether they wear protective eyewear when playing pickleball and included \u201cregular prescription glasses\u201d as a type of protective eyewear.<\/p>\nAmong amateur players who reported using protective eyewear, that eyewear was more often their own prescription glasses (61.19%) than dedicated protective glasses (38.81%).<\/p>\nThe researchers noted that published standards for protective eyewear in racket sports, including pickleball, recommend the use of impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses.<\/p>\n\u201cEyewear that does not meet specific standards can sometimes prevent injuries in low-impact situations, but paradoxically it may actually increase the risk of injury due to shattering and deformation in high-impact situations,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\nUse of protective eyewear was more common among self-described \u201cadvanced\u201d players than \u201cbeginners\u201d (53.97% vs. 11.11%) as well as more common among players aged 29 to 70 years than younger players (51.89% vs. 30.95%).<\/p>\nAmong amateurs who did not wear protective eyewear, the most commonly reported reasons were:<\/p>\n\nfogging and sweat making it uncomfortable (27.16%),<\/li>\nnever having considered it or the possibility of eye injuries (25.93%) and<\/li>\nnot seeing the risk as being that great (9.88%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAmateur players reported using protective eyewear more frequently (45.27%) than was observed among professionals (20%).<\/p>\nHenick and colleagues suggested that public awareness campaigns and incentives, such as free eyewear at local venues, could drive adoption of protective eyewear among pickleball players. <\/p>\n\u201cWhile the rate of pickleball-related eye injuries has surged in recent years, we are optimistic that implementation of the interventions outlined in this study and future endeavors can reduce unnecessary pickleball-related eye injuries as the sport continues to become more fast paced, accessible and popular,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n
Amateur pickleball players report that their regular prescription eyeglasses are the most common eyewear they use on the court, despite safer options and a rising rate of eye injuries, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology<\/i>.<\/p>\n
\u201cPickleball has surged in popularity in recent years and is enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. Accordingly, pickleball-related injuries have become more common, with a nearly sevenfold increase in injuries between 2017 and 2022,\u201d Daniel Henick<\/b>, <\/b>MD<\/b>,<\/b> a hospital resident at Yale School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote. \u201cWhile most pickleball injuries are orthopedic or musculoskeletal in nature, eye injuries make up a small but meaningful subset. … The best way to prevent eye injuries while playing pickleball is to use protective eyewear.\u201d<\/p>\n \n \n \n \n <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture> \n Data derived from Henick D, et al. JAMA Ophthalmol<\/i>. 2026;doi:10.1001\/jamaophthalmol.2026.0027. \n <\/figcaption> \n <\/figure>\nTo see how often players currently wear protective eyewear, Henick and colleagues conducted a study comparing its use among professional vs. amateur pickleball players. They analyzed professionals\u2019 eyewear by reviewing footage from the 2025 Zimmer Biomet Masters pickleball tournament, while amateur players were assessed through a survey distributed at local courts in New Haven County, Connecticut.<\/p>\nThe survey was adapted from existing surveys aimed at squash players and distributed between May and September 2025. It asked players whether they wear protective eyewear when playing pickleball and included \u201cregular prescription glasses\u201d as a type of protective eyewear.<\/p>\nAmong amateur players who reported using protective eyewear, that eyewear was more often their own prescription glasses (61.19%) than dedicated protective glasses (38.81%).<\/p>\nThe researchers noted that published standards for protective eyewear in racket sports, including pickleball, recommend the use of impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses.<\/p>\n\u201cEyewear that does not meet specific standards can sometimes prevent injuries in low-impact situations, but paradoxically it may actually increase the risk of injury due to shattering and deformation in high-impact situations,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\nUse of protective eyewear was more common among self-described \u201cadvanced\u201d players than \u201cbeginners\u201d (53.97% vs. 11.11%) as well as more common among players aged 29 to 70 years than younger players (51.89% vs. 30.95%).<\/p>\nAmong amateurs who did not wear protective eyewear, the most commonly reported reasons were:<\/p>\n\nfogging and sweat making it uncomfortable (27.16%),<\/li>\nnever having considered it or the possibility of eye injuries (25.93%) and<\/li>\nnot seeing the risk as being that great (9.88%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAmateur players reported using protective eyewear more frequently (45.27%) than was observed among professionals (20%).<\/p>\nHenick and colleagues suggested that public awareness campaigns and incentives, such as free eyewear at local venues, could drive adoption of protective eyewear among pickleball players. <\/p>\n\u201cWhile the rate of pickleball-related eye injuries has surged in recent years, we are optimistic that implementation of the interventions outlined in this study and future endeavors can reduce unnecessary pickleball-related eye injuries as the sport continues to become more fast paced, accessible and popular,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n
To see how often players currently wear protective eyewear, Henick and colleagues conducted a study comparing its use among professional vs. amateur pickleball players. They analyzed professionals\u2019 eyewear by reviewing footage from the 2025 Zimmer Biomet Masters pickleball tournament, while amateur players were assessed through a survey distributed at local courts in New Haven County, Connecticut.<\/p>\n
The survey was adapted from existing surveys aimed at squash players and distributed between May and September 2025. It asked players whether they wear protective eyewear when playing pickleball and included \u201cregular prescription glasses\u201d as a type of protective eyewear.<\/p>\n
Among amateur players who reported using protective eyewear, that eyewear was more often their own prescription glasses (61.19%) than dedicated protective glasses (38.81%).<\/p>\n
The researchers noted that published standards for protective eyewear in racket sports, including pickleball, recommend the use of impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses.<\/p>\n
\u201cEyewear that does not meet specific standards can sometimes prevent injuries in low-impact situations, but paradoxically it may actually increase the risk of injury due to shattering and deformation in high-impact situations,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n
Use of protective eyewear was more common among self-described \u201cadvanced\u201d players than \u201cbeginners\u201d (53.97% vs. 11.11%) as well as more common among players aged 29 to 70 years than younger players (51.89% vs. 30.95%).<\/p>\n
Among amateurs who did not wear protective eyewear, the most commonly reported reasons were:<\/p>\n
Amateur players reported using protective eyewear more frequently (45.27%) than was observed among professionals (20%).<\/p>\n
Henick and colleagues suggested that public awareness campaigns and incentives, such as free eyewear at local venues, could drive adoption of protective eyewear among pickleball players. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the rate of pickleball-related eye injuries has surged in recent years, we are optimistic that implementation of the interventions outlined in this study and future endeavors can reduce unnecessary pickleball-related eye injuries as the sport continues to become more fast paced, accessible and popular,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n
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