Pickleball is now the fastest-growing sport in Canada and the USA. Similar to tennis but slower-paced and easier to learn, it uses smaller hard paddles and hard plastic wiffle-type balls. Its popularity is due in large part to its fun, social nature, and great exercise.
However, along with other racquet sports like squash, racquetball, tennis, and badminton, eye injuries, such as painful corneal abrasions and even more serious sight-threatening injuries, such as retinal detachments, are being increasingly reported with pickleball. So I thought I would get some information out about sports and eye protection.
Safety Glasses for Pickleball
Many websites addressing eye safety and pickleball eye protection recommend ANSI Z87 safety glasses. While these might be sufficient for sports, the ANSI Z87.1 (American National Standards Institute) safety glasses are meant for workplace safety, and only the ANSI Z87.2 are tested for sports safety. Therefore, not all ANSI Z87 lenses are created equal.
ASTM F803 (American Society for Testing and Materials) sports safety glasses are impact tested for frame breakage and lens retention to withstand projectiles fired at speeds up to 90 mph and ranging in size from 40 to 65 cm.
The ASTM F803 sets the standard for sports protective eyewear, including prescription lenses if needed. It focuses on:
- Impact resistance
- Optical quality
- Safety for sports
Protection for All Sports
It is not just racquet sports such as pickleball which require eye protection. Other sports also commonly cause eye injuries, such as:
- Soccer
- Baseball
- Football
- Basketball
- Volleyball
High-velocity balls, as well as sticks, paddles, fingers, and elbows, can come at speeds from which our reflexes aren’t fast enough to protect our eyes from injury.
Most sports will have recommendations on eye protection if you check with the respective association, but you really can’t go wrong with an ASTM F803 standard pair for any of the above-named sports.
UV protection is also a good idea, and full UV protection ASTM F803 lenses are available in clear and sunglasses tints.
Eye Protection for All Ages
Often, our patients only think of eye protection for their children who play sports. However, adults and seniors also have precious eyes that need protection. Seniors are even more prone to retinal tears and detachments, especially those who have had cataract surgery. By protecting your vision, you can witness and celebrate your child’s successes throughout life with clarity and joy.
Protect Your Eyes Today
At Pierce Family Vision, we carry an assortment of ASTM F803 frames and lenses, available in prescription and non-prescription types and all with UV protection.
If you need work safety glasses, we also carry custom prescription workplace safety glasses that meet the ANSI Z87.1 standards.
So, now that you know how to protect your precious eyes while you are having fun, come see us at Pierce Family Vision (across from the Delta Hotel in Waterloo, Ontario), and let us help you find the perfect pair of sports glasses for pickleball or whichever sport you like!
