Eye on the Ball: Why More Pickleball Players Are Embracing Protective Eyewear

It might not be the most glamorous piece of gear on the court, but protective eyewear is quickly becoming essential in pickleball. From casual rec players to top-ranked pros, more and more people are learning the hard way—pickleballs may be light, but they hit fast and hard when they’re flying at your face. Soren Morales of Miami learned this firsthand after taking a paddle-deflected shot to the eye from his own doubles partner. The result? A scratched cornea, serious pain, and a newfound respect for goggles. He’s now a proud proponent of eye protection, and his optometrist has started referring to pickleball as her new favorite job security plan.

Top pro Bobbi Oshiro, who ended 2024 ranked No. 1 in APP mixed doubles, also learned this lesson the painful way. During one match, she skipped her usual eyewear—just once—and caught a rogue ball square in the eye. Though she escaped serious injury, she doesn’t play without protection anymore. Oshiro notes that modern paddles are packing more power than ever, and that means even a glancing blow can leave a mark. The benefits go beyond safety too: eyewear can improve visibility, block glare, and act like sunglasses outdoors. It turns out protecting your eyes might just give you a competitive edge.

Protective glasses can be as budget-friendly as $12 or as high-tech as the latest Joola wraparounds. While women players are adopting them more quickly, Oshiro hopes more men catch on before they catch a ball to the eye. As the pace of play continues to climb and spin gets nastier, the risks are too high to ignore. One skipped step in your gear routine could land you at the eye doctor—or worse, on the sidelines. The takeaway? Wear the goggles. You’ll look better in them than in an eye patch.