Keep Your Eyes on the Game: Why Eye Protection Is Essential in Pickleball
Pickleball is all about having fun, staying active, and enjoying the game we love—but what if one mishap could take you off the court indefinitely? Your eyes are one of the most vulnerable parts of your body when playing pickleball, and injuries can happen in an instant.
At IPOP, we’re serious about player safety, as is our Chief Paddle Officer, Chris White. As someone who’s experienced retinal detachments firsthand, Chris has strong feelings about why protective eyewear should be the norm, which is why we’re bringing you this essential guide to keeping your eyes safe while you play.
The Risks Are Real—and Preventable
Pickleball’s high-speed action and unpredictable shots make eye injuries an unfortunate reality. Did you know a pickleball can travel up to 65 kph (40 mph)? And when players are at the no-volley line, a ball can reach your paddle—or your face—in less than half a second. That doesn’t leave much time to react.
Chris has seen it all:
“I once witnessed a paddle fly out of a new player’s hand and hit them in the face. The paddle’s edge caught the corner of her eye, luckily missing her eyeball. It gave her a cut, but it could’ve been so much worse.”
And it's not just freak accidents.
- Pro pickleball player Jessie Irvine had to withdraw from a tournament after taking a hit to the eye, failing concussion protocol the next day.
- Allison Miller from the Delta Pickleball Association suffered a detached retina after a pickleball hit her eye—an injury that required surgery and a long recovery.
- Eugenie Bouchard, a tennis star turned pickleball pro, shared on social media that a ball hit her eye, causing a corneal scratch that sent her to urgent care.
Stories like these remind us that your eyes are at risk, no matter your skill level.
Injuries like these are more common than you might think, especially as the sport grows. Corneal abrasions, hyphema (bleeding in the eye), and Berlin’s edema (swelling in the retina) are just a few examples of what can happen when accidents strike.
Protecting your eyes isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
Why Players Resist—and Why You Should Reconsider
Some players still skip the goggles, thinking eyewear might:
- Fog up during games
- Feel uncomfortable or distracting
- Restrict their vision
Chris understands these concerns, but he’s quick to challenge them:
“Modern protective eyewear has come a long way. Anti-fog coatings, lightweight frames, and UV protection mean you can play comfortably while staying safe. Plus, the right eyewear can actually improve your performance!”
More Than Just Safety: How Eye Protection Boosts Your Game
Protective eyewear isn’t just about avoiding injuries; it can help you play better! Here’s how:
- Focus Without Fear: Knowing your eyes are shielded allows you to concentrate fully on the game, boosting your confidence on the court.
- Enhanced Vision: Many protective glasses come with prescription options or special coatings that improve visibility and reduce glare, helping you track the ball with precision.
- UV Protection: If you’re playing outdoors, eyewear with UV-blocking lenses can protect you from harmful rays while minimizing squinting.
- Wind and Debris Protection: When playing outside, eye protection shields your eyes from irritants, keeping you in the zone.
With so many performance benefits, eye protection is more than just a safeguard—it’s an upgrade.
Options for Every Player
When it comes to pickleball eye protection, there’s something for everyone.
You can start with inexpensive safety glasses on Amazon, like the ones below, for less than $15 (depending on whether they’re on sale). I use these for pickleball and work. They get the job done while remaining budget-friendly. Just search “safety glasses” for an array of options.
Source (click to go to this product's Amazon Page)
But if you want to invest in high-quality, fashionable options with additional features like interchangeable lenses, companies like Brioti Pickleball Performance have you covered.
One of IPOP’s content creators, Graham Thurgood, saw these beauties firsthand at the USA Pickleball National Championships presented by Biofreeze in Mesa, Arizona, this past November. Brioti is a company making waves in the world of functional yet fashionable eye protection for pickleball players.
Graham also had the chance to chat with Tanner Richie, the founder of Brioti, about the importance of performance eyewear in pickleball, how Brioti glasses help you see the ball better (they have interchangeable lenses!) no matter what the lighting is like, and how eye protection can be both functional and fashionable.
Check out the video below, where we chat about how important (and cool!) eye protection is:
Get a Discount on Brioti Eyewear!
Tanner was also nice enough to give IPOP readers a 10% discount on their orders! Shop Brioti.com and add the code IPOP at checkout for 10% off your order, or simply click this link, shop the site, and your IPOP discount will be automatically applied when you checkout.
Whether you choose simple safety glasses or high-end options like Brioti’s, protecting your eyes is the most important thing. With the right gear, injuries like Eugenie Bouchard’s can be avoided, so don’t wait until it’s too late.
How to Choose the Right Eyewear
When selecting protective eyewear, look for these features:
- Impact Resistance: Shatterproof lenses are a must.
- Anti-Fog and Anti-Scratch Coatings: For clear vision in any condition.
- Comfortable Fit: No slipping or pinching during play.
- UV Protection: Blocks harmful rays during outdoor games.
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Prescription Options: If you need corrective lenses, many brands offer custom options.
Chris keeps it simple:
“I use inexpensive construction safety glasses that are durable, UV-protective, and easy to replace. But if you want something more performance-driven, check out brands like Brioti, ONIX, or Gearbox—they’ve got great options for players of all levels.”
Play Safe, Play Smart
Eye injuries are painful, expensive, and often avoidable. Recovery times can be long, especially for older players whose injuries may heal more slowly. Insurance companies are also catching on, with some refusing to cover claims for preventable eye injuries.
Chris puts it bluntly:
“We don’t need thousands of injuries or vision loss before we act. This is common sense—wear protective eyewear and make it part of your routine!”
Don’t let an avoidable injury sideline your love for pickleball. Protective eyewear is an easy, effective way to keep your eyes safe while improving your game. So whether you’re gearing up for a casual rally or an intense tournament, make eye protection a key part of your pickleball routine.
At IPOP, we’re committed to making pickleball safe, inclusive, and accessible for everyone—and that includes offering world-class facilities designed with players in mind.
And if you need eye protection when you come to play at our new location at The City of Lougheed, we’ll have some options in our fully stocked pro shop.
Join the membership waitlist for our brand-new indoor pickleball facility at The City of Lougheed! With state-of-the-art courts and a welcoming community, it’s the perfect place to play, connect, and grow.
Spots are limited, and we’ll be having another membership draw soon, so don’t miss out—sign up today at www.ipop.fun and be part of the future of pickleball!