According to Prevent Blindness America, more than 25,000 people seek treatment for sports-related eye injuries each year and the majority of those injuries could have been prevented.

If you’re one of the over 4.8 million players enjoying what the Sports and Fitness Industry Association has dubbed “the fastest-growing sport in the United States” and especially if you’re playing competitive pickleball or you’re playing against more experienced players - you’ll want to protect your eyes.

Protective eyewear specifically designed for racquet sports, like pickleball, can protect your eyes from fast-moving pickleballs, errant paddles or elbows, or in the event of a fall.

Some things to look for when buying protective eyewear are:

• Impact Resistance – Polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant and shatterproof, so your eyes are protected from fast-moving pickleballs, and you won’t end up with a piece of plastic from sunglasses that aren’t specifically designed for racquet sports in your eye.
• UV Protection – If you’re playing outdoors, you’ll want to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays.
• Anti-Fogging – Fogging can be a problem with protective eyewear, so you’ll want a pair with an anti-fog coating or side vents for additional ventilation.
• Good Fit – You’ll want a pair with a high wrap, to protect your eyes from various angles, and you’ll want them to fit snuggly, so they don’t fall off or interfere with your performance.
• Comfort – If your protective eyewear isn’t comfortable, you’re probably not going to wear them. Padding along the brow and the bridge of the nose will prevent them from cutting your skin.
• ASTM F803 Approved – ASTM is the American Society for Testing and Materials, and F803 is the safety standard for sports eyewear. It covers sports like handball, tennis, paddleball, badminton, squash, racquetball, basketball, lacrosse, baseball, soccer and, of course, pickleball.
• Durability – In addition to being impact resistant. polycarbonate lenses are also scratch resistant.
• Prescription Options: If you already wear prescription glasses, you’ll be happy to know that protective eyewear can be customized for you.

If you’re ready to play it safe, visit our Hillview, Sarasota showroom. We’ll be happy to guide you through all your options, so you can find the right protective eyewear for your style and budget.