Spike in Pickleball Popularity Leads to Rise in Eye Injuries, Doctors Warn

Pickleball, a sport that’s gained significant popularity recently, is also seeing a rise in related injuries, particularly in Los Angeles.

Notably, there has been an increase in serious eye injuries, with individuals over the age of 50 being particularly affected.

Dr. Anthony Cardillo, an emergency medicine expert at Adventist Health Glendale, highlighted the issue, stating, “We’re observing numerous cases of shoulder injuries and people taking falls while playing. ‘Pickleball elbow’ is becoming common due to the rapid snap movements involved in the game.”

In Glendora, Anne Ruby Dee, who started playing pickleball a month ago, has already experienced a knee injury.

“I twisted my knee while trying to reach for the ball, and I’ve been applying ice to it since,” she explained.

Dr. Cardillo also pointed out that there’s another type of injury spreading as quickly as the sport itself.

“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.”

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 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.

“I don’t know if I’ll be wearing goggles while playing pickleball,” said Dee, who didn’t let her knee injury stop her from competing in this year’s Posh Pickleball Tournament at the La Canada Country Club.

She said pickleball is really all about having fun.

“I’m enjoying it, my husband enjoys it, my kids, and so do my friends,” she said.