Health1 min read

In your face at 60kmh: Older pickleball players more prone to eye injuries

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The sport's fast-paced close-range exchanges leave participants with minimal time to dodge plastic balls traveling at speeds up to 60 km/h. Local institutions such as Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and the Singapore National Eye Centre have treated patients for severe conditions, including retinal breaks and iritis. Although Singaporean facilities lack specific injury registries, international trends show an exponential surge in blunt ocular trauma among aging enthusiasts. Doctors emphasize that even impacts with initially mild symptoms require prompt specialist evaluation to avert irreversible vision loss.

Key points

  • Senior players face greater danger near the net because natural age-related declines in r…: Senior players face greater danger near the net because natural age-related declines in reaction time hinder dodging fast shots.
  • Medical professionals recommend that participants routinely wear protective eyewear durin…: Medical professionals recommend that participants routinely wear protective eyewear during matches to mitigate blunt ocular trauma.
  • Any player struck in the eye should seek immediate evaluation at emergency departments eq…: Any player struck in the eye should seek immediate evaluation at emergency departments equipped with specialist eye care facilities.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- Pickleball eye injuries are rising among older players in Singapore and overseas. Doctors say direct ball hits can cause serious harm, including retinal breaks and lens dislocation.

- Singapore hospitals have seen only a few cases since 2023, but experts warn the sport is fast and close-range. Older players may face higher risk because reflexes slow with age.

- Doctors advise protective eyewear and urgent eye checks after injury. Pickleball still has health benefits, but players should treat eye safety as a key concern.

AI generated

SINGAPORE – As the popularity of pickleball surges in Singapore, a number of its players, particularly the older ones, could leave the court for the emergency room.

Doctors at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital have seen patients with eye injuries “sustained while playing pickleball, particularly following direct impact of the ball to the eye”, said Yeo Tun Hang, who heads Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in the NHG Eye Institute at the hospital.

“A patient sustained a direct impact from a pickleball and developed retinal breaks, requiring laser (treatment) to reduce the risk of retinal…

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