What began as a recreational game ended in life-altering injuries for two pickleball players in Vietnam, prompting ophthalmologists to warn against the growing number of serious eye accidents linked to the sport’s rapid rise in popularity.
According to a Laodong, the Central Eye Hospital recently treated a 39-year-old patient identified as N.V.H from Bac Ninh after he was struck directly in the left eye by a pickleball during a match. Doctors said the impact caused multiple complications, including an eyeball contusion, vestibular bleeding, vitreous discharge and mild corneal edema. His vision deteriorated so severely that he could only detect palm shadows from extremely close range.
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The incident has once again highlighted the hidden dangers associated with a sport many still perceive as relatively harmless.
According to Dr. Tham Truong Khanh Van, Head of the Department of Trauma at the Central Eye Hospital, the patient initially underwent internal medicine treatment, which led to slight improvement in vision. However, the injury later triggered a dangerous rise in glaucoma that could not be managed through medication.
“After a period of internal medicine treatment, the patient's vision improved, but the glaucoma increased and could not be controlled with drugs,” Dr. Van said. “Doctors were forced to perform surgery to lower the glaucoma to treat complications from the injury.”
Despite the surgery, the patient will require prolonged monitoring and treatment.
The injured player said he had taken up pickleball only three months earlier, believing it to be a light and low-risk sport. During one rally, however, a teammate struck the ball with force, causing it to change direction unexpectedly and hit his eye directly.
“He felt severe pain and blurred vision immediately,” doctors said.
The hospital had earlier received an even more devastating case involving a 35-year-old man from Hanoi, identified as N.V.C. He was admitted in critical condition after suffering a ruptured eyeball, tears to the cornea and sclera, and extrusion of intraocular tissue. Doctors said the patient had completely lost the ability to distinguish between light and darkness.
The extent of the damage left surgeons with no option but to remove the eye entirely, leaving the patient permanently blind in his left eye.
Medical experts say such injuries are becoming increasingly common as pickleball expands rapidly across Asia and beyond. Known for its accessibility and appeal across age groups, the paddle sport is often marketed as a social and beginner-friendly alternative to tennis. Yet ophthalmologists warn that the speed of the ball, short court dimensions and close player positioning can create dangerous situations, particularly for inexperienced players.
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According to doctors at the Central Eye Hospital, most pickleball-related eye injuries stem from high-speed ball impact, delayed reflexes and accidental racket collisions between players during doubles matches.
The recent cases have sparked renewed calls for greater awareness around player safety, including the possible use of protective eyewear during competitive and recreational games.
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