Pickleball, the rapidly growing hybrid racquet sport enjoyed worldwide, has seen soaring participation that unfortunately comes paired with a dramatic rise in serious eye injuries, especially among older players. Recent medical studies highlight the urgent need for safety reforms as the game’s popularity continues to boom, fueled by celebrities both in the West and India.
Soaring Participation, Rising Injuries
Between 2021 and 2024, pickleball-related eye injuries more than doubled, reaching an estimated 1,262 cases in 2024 alone—up from a typical annual average of fewer than 200 a decade earlier. Over the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024, approximately 3,112 such ocular injuries were reported worldwide. Around 70% of affected players are adults over 50, likely more vulnerable due to age-related muscle mass, bone density loss, and balance issues.
Most injuries result from direct impacts by fast-moving pickleballs (43%), paddle strikes (12%), or falls during play (28%). The most common injuries include periocular lacerations (35%) and corneal abrasions (16%), but more severe trauma such as orbital fractures, retinal detachment, globe trauma, and hyphema have also been documented—some of which carry risk of permanent vision damage if untreated.
Experts Push for Protective Eyewear Norms
Medical experts agree that many of these injuries are preventable. The JAMA Ophthalmology study’s (published 16th October 2025) lead author, Dr. Corey Lacher, and affiliated ophthalmologists urge pickleball organizers globally to adopt evidence-based protective eyewear guidelines. Wraparound polycarbonate goggles, similar to those recommended in squash (which has seen a 90% reduction in serious eye injuries after mandatory eye protection), are recommended especially for older adults or players with preexisting eye conditions.
Despite this, no mandatory protective-gear requirements exist in most amateur or professional pickleball leagues yet, leaving large regulatory and educational gaps. Advocacy groups are calling for national and international governing bodies to promote eye safety through updated policies, awareness campaigns, and youth player education to curb this alarming trend.
Celebrity Influence Drives Global Popularity
Pickleball’s global rise owes much to its appeal to all ages and lifestyles—including a growing legion of celebrity players who have helped mainstream the sport.
India has witnessed a surge in pickleball fever with Bollywood luminaries such as Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone often seen playing. They famously addressed fan rivalries by spreading fun and sportsmanship through pickleball. Other Indian celebrities, including Aamir Khan, Ali Fazal, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Shilpa Shetty, Janhvi Kapoor, and siblings Aisha and Neha Sharma, have all embraced the sport enthusiastically, helping fuel its spread across major cities and smaller towns. Cricket icons like Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have also been spotted playing, linking India’s rich sporting culture with this novel, health-promoting game.
An Emerging Lifestyle Trend Needing Regulation
Pickleball’s informal, social image helps explain why eye injuries may be underreported and regulatory action slow to follow, especially at amateur levels. Players often enter the sport seeking low-impact fitness, camaraderie, and enjoyment without fully appreciating the injury risks.
However, sports injury experts caution that without formal safety guidelines, particularly for eye protection, injury rates may rise further. Historical parallels exist—mitigating cricket ball head injuries with helmets and preventing bicycle head trauma with helmets show how safety standards can successfully change player behavior and norms over time.
Thus, alongside celebrity endorsement and rising participation, the pickleball community is at a crossroads where education, protective gear mandates, and medical awareness could ensure safer play without dampening enthusiasm.
Enjoy the Game, Protect Your Vision
Pickleball stands as a vibrant, uplifting sport connecting generations and cultures, with a unique blend of fun and fitness. Its worldwide growth, accelerated by celebrity passion from West to India, is a testament to its universal appeal.
Nevertheless, the surge in eye injuries highlights an urgent global need to adopt proper eye protection standards. For casual players and stars alike, safeguarding vision should be as integral as perfecting serves or volleys. Early action to establish safety norms promises to protect players’ eyesight and preserve pickleball’s place as one of the most beloved sports of the decade.
In essence, players are encouraged to enjoy pickleball’s benefits while taking a proactive stance on eye safety—because every good game deserves clear vision and a bright, injury-free future.
