How many of you play pickleball, it’s a burg thing right? With nearly 20 million people playing pickleball has quickly become big in the United States. Pickleball-related eye injuries are on the rise in the US. Although the increase in ocular injuries may simply reflect the increasing number of players. It is possible that casual players are more susceptible to injury due to limited experience and unfamiliarity with the game.
A study found that pickleball-related eye injuries have increased at an alarming rate over the past 4 years as the sport continues to grow in popularity. It is not that the game is getting more dangerous.
Common kinds of ocular injuries from pickleball have been reported by ophthalmologists and Emergency rooms including:
- Lacerations around the eye
- Corneal abrasions
- Inflamed irises
- Retinal detachment or tear
- Orbital fractures
- Globe trauma
- Berlin's edema is damage to the retina's outer layers, which can cause temporary decrease in vision.
- Hyphemia is bleeding in the front chamber of the eye
To prevent these injuries, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and other experts recommend wearing shatterproof polycarbonate safety goggles that meet ASTM F3164 standards. These standards ensure that eyewear is rigorously evaluated for impact resistance and safety during play, providing reliable protection against the types of injuries commonly seen in pickleball.
Eye protection is not currently mandated to take part in amateur or professional pickleball play. However, there is a push to establish standardized guidelines that is strongly recommended, as evidence from other sports a significant reduction in ocular injuries when protective eyewear is required. For example, studies in racquetball and hockey have shown a 90% decrease in common eye injuries after mandating protective eyewear. This underscores the potential benefit of implementing similar safety measures in pickleball.
Sources:
www.livescience.com
www.jamanetwork.com
www.aao.org
Photo sources:
www.potthoffeyecare.com
https://www.foxnews.com
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