Pickleball-related eye injuries increasing
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- Reviewed by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Like any racquet sport, pickleball carries some obvious risks: players sometimes fall, or they injure a shoulder, arm, or leg during play. Now a study published online Oct. 16, 2025, by JAMA Ophthalmology suggests that as the number of players has grown, so has the number of eye injuries. Using a nationally representative sample of pickleball-related eye injuries reported by emergency departments, researchers estimated that these injuries have increased by about 400 incidents per year, from less than 200 in 2021 to 1,262 in 2024. Most occurred in people ages 50 or older and involved damage to the eye surface, retinal detachment, or fractures near the eye socket — often from a fall or a direct hit from a paddle or ball. The study may have underestimated the actual number of game-related eye injuries, as it counted only cases from emergency departments. While the number of people experiencing eye injuries from playing pickleball may be increasing, the overall incidence is likely low. So, these findings don’t mean you shouldn’t play. However, you might consider wearing protective goggles on the court, especially if you have a high risk for eye problems — for instance, from a family history of retinal detachment.
Image: © eyecrave productions/Getty Images
About the Author
Heidi Godman, Managing Director
About the Reviewer
Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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