A SPORT THAT LITERALLY CATCHES THE EYE - INTERNATIONAL CONCERN ABOUT INJURIES FROM PICKLEBALL - Filenews 15/4 by Marilena Panayi
A sport that literally catches the eye, began to puzzle scientists internationally with ophthalmologists emphasizing the need to introduce protective equipment into the rules of the game. This is pickleball, characterized as one of the fastest-growing recreational sports worldwide.
It is a racquet sport and combines rules from tennis, badminton and table tennis. It is played on a small court with a light plastic ball and is particularly popular with middle-aged and older people, which is why it is no coincidence that most injuries involve people over 50 years old.
In fact, in a single year, in the USA, 1,262 incidents of eye injuries due to pickleball were recorded, which, as it is found, year by year is becoming more and more popular around the world. It has already expanded to Europe and has even reached Cyprus, as it is now played mainly in some private clubs, centers and multi-purpose racket venues in almost all provinces.
The injuries, according to what has been made public lately, are caused either by blows from the plastic ball at close range, or by contact with the racket of a teammate or opponent or due to collisions between players near the net.
In more severe cases, injuries such as anterior chamber hypo haematoma, injuries to the eyeball, fractures of the eye socket and retinal detachment have been recorded, injuries that can have long-term effects on vision.
According to the international agency Reuters, experts point out that the quick exchange of blows on a small field and the short distance between players increase the risk of injury, particularly when protective equipment is not used.
The increase in incidents has led ophthalmologists and researchers to recommend the use of protective goggles during the game, particularly for older players or those who regularly participate in matches. As it is pointed out, unlike other racquet sports, such as squash, in pickleball there are still no widely established guidelines for the mandatory use of protective equipment.
