HMN 2026: How America’s fastest-growing sport has an eye injury problem few older players see coming

Pickleball-related eye injuries are on the rise in the United States, according to a study published in the journal Eye and led by Houston Methodist. The findings underscore a public health concern tied to one of America’s fastest-growing sports. In addition, the research also revealed that dodgeball and kickball continue to cause significant eye-related trauma, primarily among younger individuals.

Researchers analyzed 10 years of data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and identified a weighted estimate of 7,974 eye injuries nationwide from pickleball, dodgeball, and kickball between 2014 and 2023. Dodgeball accounted for 3,874 cases, pickleball accounted for 2,573 cases, and kickball accounted for 1,527 cases.

“As pickleball continues its explosive growth, we’re seeing injuries that people don’t expect, especially in older adults,” said Dr. Andrew Lee, the Herb and Jean Lyman Centennial Chair of Ophthalmology at Houston Methodist Research Institute. “The good news is that these eye injuries don’t need to happen. Awareness and basic protective gear can make a dramatic difference.”

While dodgeball and kickball injuries overwhelmingly occurred in younger individuals (average age of 13–15 years), the study revealed that injuries from pickleball primarily affected older adults, with an average age of 58 years. These injuries most often resulted from fast-moving ball strikes. In addition, falls were notably more common in pickleball players than in other sports.

Dodgeball and kickball injuries occurred primarily in school settings, while pickleball injuries were more likely to happen in community recreation centers, which Lee said highlights the need for age-specific safety strategies in recreational settings.

Lee, chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Houston Methodist, said that, being the first nationally representative study to compare eye injuries from dodgeball, kickball, and pickleball over the past decade, the research offers a comprehensive look at who is getting injured, how the injuries occur, and what can be done to prevent them.

In light of their findings, the researchers recommend the development of targeted interventions, such as age- and sport-specific protective eyewear, education campaigns, and better injury surveillance.

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