"Pickleball caused an estimated 1,250 eye injuries in 2024 with a total of 3,000 since 2005. A new JAMA Ophthalmology study found pickleball-related eye injuries have jumped an additional 400 cases a year from 2021 to 2024 They found that players aged 50 and older accounted for about 70% of pickleball-related eye injuries, possibly due to age-related declines in muscle strength, bone density, and balance. Most injuries were caused by a direct hit by a pickleball, direct hit by a paddle, or falls."
""People are falling while they're playing. People are coming in with a lot of shoulder injuries," said Dr. Anthony Cardillo, an emergency medicine specialist with Adventist Health Glendale. "We're seeing a lot of pickleball elbow now because of that movement that's happening, a quick snap movement." "We're getting a lot of ocular, eye injuries," he said. "It's really getting hit in the face with either the ball or a racket.""
"Most injuries were caused by a direct hit by a pickleball, direct hit by a paddle, or falls. "People are swinging, they're not being mindful and careful, and they'll hit their partner in the eye with the racket and also get hit with that ball," said Cardillo, who added that the study should remind people to be more careful on the court but suggests a pair of sport goggles can help protect you."
Pickleball participation has increased alongside a rise in related injuries, with knee, shoulder, and 'pickleball elbow' common from quick movements and falls. Eye injuries are increasing sharply, with an estimated 1,250 eye injuries in 2024 and about 3,000 since 2005; cases rose roughly 400 per year from 2021 to 2024. Players aged 50 and older account for about 70% of eye injuries, likely influenced by declines in muscle strength, bone density, and balance. Most incidents result from direct hits by the ball or paddle or from falls. Use of sport goggles is recommended to reduce ocular risk.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]