Eye Protection in Pickleball
by Dr. Laurie Capogna, Optometrist
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90% of sports eye injuries are preventable!
90% of sports eye injuries are preventable!
Wearing sports eye protection is the best way to protect your eyes from injury. This is particularly important during pickleball as it has been estimated that the ball can travel up to 64 km/h during a serve. In addition, it can take less than half a second for the ball to travel from one paddle to another — particularly during a fire-fight at the non-volley zone!
Fast hands, or maneuvering your body out of the way when a ball comes toward your head, may have saved your eye in the past. However, wearing sport safety glasses will offer more consistent protection and give you the confidence you need to hold your ground at the non-volley zone so that you can have longer rallies, work on your resets and improve your game.
What can happen if you get hit in the eye playing pickleball?
Being hit in the eye with either a pickleball or a paddle can cause severe eye injuries including retinal detachments and dislocation of the crystalline lens in the eye. These injuries would require ocular surgery and could lead to permanent vision loss.
Other injuries include bruising around the eye, orbital bone injury and corneal abrasions, where the surface of the eye gets scratched by a pickleball. These can be extremely painful and have the potential to have lasting effects.
People who are nearsighted or have had previous eye surgery are at a higher risk of injury.
If you are hit in the eye while playing pickleball, I recommend scheduling an appointment with your optometrist — particularly if you experience pain, bruising, decreased vision, flashes or floaters.
What protective eyewear do you recommend?
The best protective eye wear is polycarbonate or Trivex safety glasses with both front and side coverage. You can get these in non-prescription or prescription glasses. Wearing your regular glasses on the court is better than not wearing any glasses at all, however, a proper safety sports frame and lenses will provide the best protection.
Even if you have a small prescription to help you see in the distance, you may benefit from wearing prescription glasses with an anti-glare coating while playing. This can help you track the ball and see the lines better.
Wearing proper sports glasses while playing pickleball will help you to maintain healthy, injury free eyes and give you confidence that can help improve your game.
Outdoor Protection
Outdoor Protection
After a long winter spent indoors, most of us are excited to be lacing up our court shoes and running out the door to play on the outdoor courts. We find we have an extra spring in our step from receiving our daily dose of vitamin D and competing with our friends in the sunshine. However, along with the benefits from spending time outdoors, there come some challenges that we need to be aware of.
We know that eye protection is a crucial aspect of safe gameplay. When playing pickleball outdoors, there is more to consider than just wearing safety glasses. Here I discuss a complete plan to protecting your eyes and achieving your best vision on the outdoor courts.
UV Protection: Shielding Against Harmful Rays
When playing pickleball outdoors, players are exposed to sunlight, which includes ultraviolet (UV) rays. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead to various eye conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium (a growth on the eye's surface). UV exposure also increases the risk of skin cancer around the eyes.
Wearing sunglasses or sports goggles with UV protection is essential to shield your eyes from these harmful rays. Eyewear labeled with UV400 protection, blocks 99 to 100 percent of UV light. It is also important to ensure that your sunglasses provide good coverage to prevent light from bouncing off the back of the sunglass lenses and entering your eyes.
Other lens options include polarized lenses which will decrease glare and photochromic lenses that adjust to varying light conditions.
Can I Get Prescription Sunglasses?
Even if you have a small prescription to help you see in the distance, you may benefit from wearing prescription sunglasses. In addition to protecting your eyes from UV light, this can help you track the ball and see the lines better.
Sports Safety: Guarding Against Impact and Injury
Accidental impacts from balls or collisions with opponents can lead to injuries ranging from minor scratches to more severe trauma like corneal abrasions, retinal detachments, or fractures of the orbital bone. Sports-specific goggles or glasses designed for pickleball can provide a barrier against these impacts, reducing the risk of injury and allowing players to focus on their game without worrying about eye safety. Your optometrist will be able to prescribe and recommend sunglasses that offer both UV protection and safety.
Allergies and Dry Eye: Mitigating Environmental Factors
Outdoor environments can exacerbate allergies and dry eye symptoms due to pollen, dust, wind, and exposure to sunlight. Players who suffer from seasonal allergies or have dry eye syndrome will benefit from wearing wrap-around goggles or sunglasses to minimize exposure to allergens and reduce the evaporation of tears. This proactive approach not only enhances comfort during play but also protects against potential complications that could affect vision and overall performance on the court.
Lubricating eye drops and prescription eye drops are effective to help treat and improve symptoms of dry, itchy, or watery eyes caused by allergies and dry eye. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may need to use drops from one time up to 4-5 times per day. There are many effective eye drops available and your optometrist will be able to prescribe the best option for you.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Safety and Long-Term Eye Health
Conclusion: Prioritizing Safety and Long-Term Eye Health
Eye protection is not an optional accessory but a fundamental aspect of safe and enjoyable pickleball. By investing in quality eyewear that offers UV protection, shields against impacts, and addressing environmental factors like allergies and dry eye by using proper eye drops, players can safeguard their vision and maintain optimal performance on the court.
Protecting your eyes today ensures you can continue enjoying pickleball for years to come, with clear vision and peace of mind.
I look forward to seeing you on the courts soon. Keep your eye on the ball, protect your eyes and stay patient on the court!
Club member Dr. Laurie Capogna is an optometrist and owner of Eye Wellness in Niagara Falls. She has authored three books including Eyefoods: The Complete Guide to Eye Health and Nutrition. Her mission is to inspire and educate eye care professionals and the public about the power of ocular nutrition and prevention of eye disease and injury.
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