A ball in your face at 60kmh: Older pickleball players more prone to eye injuries
Pickleball is gaining popularity in Singapore, but medical professionals are reporting an increase in serious eye injuries among older players. Common injuries include retinal breaks and lens dislocations caused by direct ball impact.
Why it matters
As the sport grows globally, the lack of protective gear awareness poses a significant public health risk for aging populations.
Eye injuries are more likely to result from falls or a direct hit by the ball, and such injuries occur more frequently among older players. SINGAPORE – As the popularity of pickleball surges in Singapore, a number of its players, particularly older ones, could end up leaving 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, head of ophthalmology and visual sciences at 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 detachment.
"Another pickleball injury resulted in dislocation of a previously implanted intraocular lens, requiring surgery to refix the lens," Yeo told The Straits Times.
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