Why Pickleball Players Need Sports-Rated Eye Protection

## The Rise of Pickleball Eye Injuries = The Need to Wear the “Right” Kind of Protective Eyewear

Pickleball is sweeping the nation! It's fun, social, and a great workout. But before you grab your paddle and hit the court, let's talk about something crucial: protecting your eyes. While pickleball might seem low-impact, the rising number of eye injuries associated with the sport is a serious concern.

A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology and summarized by Conexiant found that between 2005 and 2024, emergency departments saw a significant rise in pickleball-related eye trauma.

In the study, they analyzed U.S. emergency departments and found that:

• In 2024 alone, an estimated 1,262 eye injuries were attributed to pickleball play — nearly triple what had been seen in earlier years. Conexiant

• Over the full period, 2,472 total pickleball injuries were recorded; 73 of those involved eyes, and when weighted to national estimates, that corresponds to about 3,112 ocular cases. Conexiant
• The average age of injured players was around 53.9 years. Conexiant+1
• 70% of eye injuries occurred in players aged 50 or older. Conexiant+1

As for how these injuries happen:

• 43% resulted from being hit by the ball
• 28% from falls
• 12% from contact with paddles Conexiant+1

While the reported numbers are concerning, they likely underestimate the true scope of pickleball-related eye injuries. Many players who take a hit to the eye don’t go to the emergency room — they might just ice it, assume it’s “just a black eye,” and move on. But even seemingly minor injuries can cause long-term damage. A blow that causes temporary swelling or bruising can also lead to retinal tears or detachments weeks or months later, especially in older players or those with previous eye conditions.

A real-world example of how eye trauma can have delayed consequences is NBA star Anthony Davis. He took a hit to the eye during an April 2, 2025 game against the Atlanta Hawks that required stitches above his eye. Months later, in July 2025, Davis underwent surgery to repair a detached retina — an injury many sports analysts believe may have been related to that earlier impact (Sports Illustrated, 2025; ESPN, 2025; NBC Sports, 2025).

 

Why the rise in eye injuries? Several factors contribute:

• The Speed and Size: That wiffle ball can travel at surprising speeds, and it's just the right size to fit snugly into your eye socket. A direct hit can cause serious damage.
• Close Proximity: Pickleball courts are smaller than tennis courts, meaning players are closer together. This increases the chance of being struck by the ball or a paddle.
• Beginner Enthusiasm: Many new players are jumping into the sport without fully understanding the risks or taking necessary precautions.

 

The good news is these injuries are largely preventable with proper eye protection. However, navigating the world of sports eyewear can be confusing, especially when it comes to understanding safety standards.

 

The Wild West of Pickleball Eyewear Standards (or Lack Thereof!)

 

Here's where things get a little tricky. Unlike some other sports, pickleball currently lacks a universally mandated safety standard for eyewear. As more people look for eye protection, the market has flooded with glasses labeled “for pickleball” or “impact-resistant.” Unfortunately, many of these do not meet the standards needed to protect against high-speed ball impacts.

You might think your regular sunglasses or prescription glasses will do the trick. Unfortunately, they often won't. Standard glasses are not designed to withstand the impact of a pickleball traveling at speed. They can shatter, causing even more damage to your eyes, or they may have hard, smaller nose pads that can be pushed into the eye socket causing more damage than wearing nothing.  This is why it is important to invest in the proper eyewear if you want to properly protect your eyes on the court.

 

Why Safety Ratings Matter: Not All Eyewear is Created Equal

Eyewear with a safety rating, on the other hand, has been rigorously tested and certified to provide a specific level of protection.  Choosing eyewear without a safety certification is like putting your child in a car seat that hasn’t been crash-tested. It might look sturdy, but without that certified testing, there’s no proof it can actually protect you when it matters most.

Let’s look into the various tests eyewear are put through to get a “safety rating”. 

 

ASTM F803 — The Gold Standard for Ball Sports

The ASTM F803 standard is the only U.S. safety certification specifically designed for ball sports like pickleball, racquetball, basketball, and soccer.

To pass ASTM F803 testing, eyewear must:

• Withstand multiple impacts from balls traveling at 90–100 mph,
• Keep the lenses and frame intact (no cracking, dislodging, or deformation), and
• Protect the eye area completely (coverage and retention testing).

This standard ensures that eyewear will stay on your face and absorb the shock rather than transmitting it to your eye socket.

 ASTM F3164 — The Newer Standard for Racquet Sports Eyewear

ASTM F3164 standard expands on F803, offering strong impact resistance for racquet sports specifically (and may soon include pickleball).

 

Together, these ASTM standards provide the only true certification for ball sports — confirming that eyewear has been scientifically tested to perform when the unexpected happens.

 

 ANSI Z87.1 — Often Confused, But Not for Pickleball

Many players see “ANSI Z87.1” printed on safety glasses and assume that means they’re protected from sports impacts — but that’s not always the case. The ANSI Z87 standards were developed for industrial and occupational eye protection, not for ball sports. Under this system, Z87 by itself only certifies basic protection against dust, splashes, and low-mass impacts, such as small flying debris in a workshop. The Z87.1 or Z87+ markings indicate that the eyewear has passed high-velocity and high-mass impact tests, meaning it can withstand larger projectiles at faster speeds — but these tests are still based on workplace hazards, not sports-related impacts. A flying pickleball or racquet strike carries a completely different type of kinetic energy and direction of force than the tests used for Z87 certification. So while Z87+ lenses are far better than standard sunglasses, they are not designed to handle the high-speed, broad-surface impact of a ball traveling toward your face.

In short:

ANSI Z87.1 glasses protect against flying screws — not flying pickleballs.

 

 No Standards:

This is the danger zone. Avoid eyewear that doesn't have any safety ratings. It likely hasn't been tested for impact resistance and offers little to no protection. Most standard sunglasses or fashion eyewear use 1.0 mm polycarbonate lenses, which are thin, lightweight, and great for everyday wear. However, they are not engineered to absorb or withstand the high-speed, blunt-force impact of a pickleball, racquet, or elbow. Under a direct hit, these thinner lenses can flex, pop out of the frame, or even crack, leaving the eyes vulnerable.

By contrast, ASTM-rated sports eyewear requires 2.0 mm (or thicker) polycarbonate or Trivex lenses — nearly double the thickness — and these are tested as part of the complete lens-and-frame system under direct, high-velocity impacts. That extra millimeter of material significantly increases impact absorption, stability, and retention, ensuring that both the frame and lens stay intact even when hit by a ball traveling at high speeds.

If you are going to opt for fashion over function, make sure at a minimum that the eyewear you are wearing has polycarbonate lenses. 

 

It’s also important to note that ASTM standards apply specifically to the United States. Other countries have their own safety testing standards that may be equivalent or similar in rigor, but they vary in scope and testing methods. For example, EN166 is the European standard for eye protection, CSA Z94.3 covers Canada, AS/NZS 1337 applies to Australia and New Zealand, and JIS T8147 governs protective eyewear in Japan. These certifications can be acceptable alternatives if the eyewear has been tested under comparable high-impact, ball-sport conditions, but not all regional standards include those types of tests. Before assuming a pair of glasses or goggles is “pickleball safe,” it’s worth confirming what standard they actually meet — and whether that standard was designed for sports-related impacts, not just general safety or industrial use.

 

Why This Matters

An errant ball to the eye can cause permanent vision loss — even in a split second. And as the Conexiant study shows, older players are particularly at risk due to slower reflexes and age-related eye vulnerability.

If you’re playing regularly, choose eyewear that’s:

• ASTM F803 or F3164 certified,
• Made with polycarbonate or Trivex lenses,
• Has a wrap-around or goggle design for full coverage,
• And ideally, prescription-ready if you need corrective lenses.

 

 

A Few Bonus Tips for Choosing Pickleball Eyewear

• Ensure a snug and comfortable fit: The eyewear should fit securely on your face without being too tight. Adjustable straps can help ensure a proper fit
• Think about lens color: Different lens colors can enhance visibility in various lighting conditions. Certain lens colors will help the yellow pickleball pop and increase your reaction time on the ball. Green based lenses typically give you this advantage. Indoors you may want clear lenses to maximize the light coming to the eye. (tinted lenses can reduce light and thus reduce reaction time) (see our video on lens colors to see how the different color lenses make different color pickleball balls pop)
• Look for Anti-Fog Coatings: This can help prevent fogging, especially during intense play.
• Don't skimp on quality: Investing in a high-quality pair of sports glasses or goggles isn’t just about protection — it’s about performance. Lower-end eyewear often uses lower optical-quality lenses, which can cause distortion that subtly warps your depth perception and makes the ball appear to move differently. That split-second of visual inaccuracy can directly impact your reaction time and accuracy on the court. Look for eyewear with optical-grade lenses, designed to deliver crisp, undistorted vision so you can play your best while keeping your eyes truly protected.

 

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late

 

Protect Your Vision — Play Smart

Pickleball is fun, social, and addictive — but it shouldn’t come at the cost of your sight. Whether you’re playing indoors, outdoors, or in a local league, treat your eyes like you treat your paddle: an essential piece of gear.

At SportEyes.com, we often don’t see people until it’s too late — after they’ve already suffered an eye injury and now need protection to prevent further damage. The truth is, most eye injuries are completely preventable with the right eyewear. That’s why we offer  prescription and non-prescription pickleball eyewear that meets or exceeds ASTM standards so they are built for impact, tested for performance, and designed for comfort.

Because protecting your eyes isn’t optional — it’s part of the game.