In your face at 60kmh: Older pickleball players more prone to eye injuries
A US study found that players over age 50 showed a 39% higher risk of sustaining such injuries.
As pickleball's popularity soars in Singapore, older players appear to face a higher risk of eye injuries, according to doctors at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. During a recent case, a patient experienced retinal breaks after a direct impact from a pickleball, requiring laser treatment to prevent retinal detachment. Another injury involved the dislocation of a previously implanted intraocular lens, necessitating surgery to reattach it.
The Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) treated a case of corneal abrasion from the sport, and another player received a diagnosis of iritis and microhyphema, both resulting from trauma from the game. While Singapore does not have specific registries regarding pickleball-related injuries, similar incidents have increased by about 400 annually in the United States, from under 200 in 2021 to 1,262 in 2024.
Researchers found that players over 50 years old had a 39% higher risk of sustaining such injuries compared to their younger counterparts. A study published in the JAMA Ophthalmology journal in October 2025 highlighted that pickleball's fast exchanges at close range, combined with lightweight paddles, can lead to significant blunt force if the ball strikes the eye directly.
Experts emphasize that players should wear protective eyewear when necessary, especially senior players, due to slower reflexes and reactions. Despite the rising number of injuries, pickleball remains an excellent form of exercise with health benefits for players in their 50s and 60s.
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