Pickleball-related eye injuries presenting to United States emergency departments, 2010-2023

Abstract

Purpose
To characterize the epidemiology of pickleball-related eye injuries in the United States.

Methods
Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System were analyzed for individuals treated in US emergency departments (ED) for pickleball-related eye injuries from 2010 through 2023.

Results
Based on a sample of 117 actual cases, there were an estimated 6,015 individuals treated in US emergency departments for pickleball-related eye injury. From 2022 to 2023, the rate of injuries increased by 37.3%. The mean age of individuals was 59.9 years. Approximately 54.7% of individuals were male. The most common mechanisms of injury were fall with facial trauma (n = 71 [60.7%]), direct impact from a pickleball paddle (n = 18 [15.4%]), and direct impact from a pickleball (n = 12 [10.3%]). The most frequently associated primary diagnoses were laceration (n = 45 [38.5%]), contusions or abrasions (n = 27 [23.1%]), blunt trauma (n = 17 [14.5), and fractures (n = 14 [12.0%]). The top two specific ocular surface or intraocular diagnoses were abrasions and iritis. Most individuals (n = 115 [98.3%]) were treated and released or examined and released without treatment.

Conclusion
Based on our analysis of a national database, the frequency of pickleball-related eye injuries treated in US EDs has increased, although most ocular injuries are clinically minor.