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Why Eye Protection Matters In Pickleball
Across the sports landscape , eye health and eye safety during play has become an increasingly serious topic of discussion . Every year more than 600,000 recreational and sports-related eye injuries occur . Of these injuries , roughly 14,000 result in permanent loss of sight . Not surprisingly , the racquet sports category ranks 4th among activities causing eye injuries .
As with many other ball sports that are played mostly outside , pickleball players face two distinct hazards to their vision when they play : blunt trauma to the eye from the ball , their partner ’ s paddle , or their partners themselves , and overexposure to UV rays from hours in the sun . Over time , exposure can result in cataracts ( clouding of the eye lens ) and macular degeneration ( deterioration of the central portion of the retina ), both of which can lead to loss of vision .
The ability to both play safely and win is affected by how players see the ball , the court , their partners , and their opponents . Given the amount of play that happens at the kitchen line , players are usually only 14 feet from their opponents ’ next shot . Even a speed-up moving at just 20 mph leaves a player with a half-second to react . If players don ’ t have protective eyewear , all they have is their reactions to keep them from getting hit . Most people recognize that eye injuries do happen , but don ’ t think they ’ ll happen to them . The problem with this kind of thinking , though , is that oftentimes getting hit in the eye is out of a player ’ s control , and when it happens , it can be incredibly serious — from detached retinas , to orbital blowout fractures , to even ruptured eyeballs . These injuries are unfortunately lifechanging .
The immediate solution for avoiding these problems is highquality eyewear with polycarbonate lenses . While eye injuries from impacts can be serious , the good news is that 90 percent of these injuries can be prevented by wearing the proper eye protection ( i . e ., polycarbonate lenses ). Furthermore , these lenses block 100 percent of harmful UV rays . If the sunglasses are wrap-style , it ’ s even better . The extended curve helps prevent UV rays from reflecting off the inside of the lenses directly into a player ’ s eyes .
While protecting players ’ eyes , the right eyewear can simultaneously enhance performance if its features are suited for the pickleball environment . Eye protection does not mean players should sacrifice on performance . With
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