The Pickleball Eye Protection Crisis: Why are Players Obsessed Glasses without lenses?
Hi fellow pickleball enthusiasts ! I'm Antony, the Deputy General Manager here at Bor Jye Enterprise Co., Ltd. (BJ Eyewear), a professional sports eyewear manufacturer, and I'm delighted to chat with you about this super-popular sport on our official blog. Pickleball has truly taken Taiwan by storm in the last two years! Everywhere from parks to professional clubs, you can spot people enjoying this sport that's a mix of tennis and table tennis.
However, as the sport's popularity soars, there's a hidden vision crisis we must warn you about : eye protection ! Lately, a trend of "lens-less glasses" has emerged on the courts, with everyone discussing whether it's truly the "ultimate anti-fog solution". I believe we have a responsibility to reveal the potential risks and dangers behind this trend that you need to be aware of. If you are still struggling with fogging, please read on, and let's find the best solution that balances both comfort and safety!
I. Why You Need a Pair of Professional Sports Glasses for Pickleball
You might think that pickleball isn't as intense as squash or tennis, so why bother with goggles ? My answer is: Absolutely necessary! Because pickleball courts are small, the ball speed is fast, and coupled with the close-quarters fighting in "The Kitchen" your eyes are actually constantly exposed to high risk.
According to the latest study in the JAMA Ophthalmology (Journal of the American Medical Association Ophthalmology), an estimated 1,250 pickleball-related eye injuries occurred across the US in 2024, with a cumulative total of over 3,000 cases since 2005. The research points out that approximately 400 new cases have emerged annually from 2021 to 2024, which is a very striking number ! I believe you should consider protective eyewear as essential as your paddle and shoes.
Here are the main reasons I recommend you wear pickleball glasses :
1. Defending Against Ball Impact Injuries:
- During high-speed rallies, a pickleball can reach speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour (approx. 48-64 km/h).
- The resulting impact force is sufficient to cause severe corneal abrasions or even internal bleeding.
- Professional sports glasses are designed to disperse the impact force, protecting the eyeball from direct penetrating injury.
2. Preventing Accidental "Paddle Attacks" :
- In doubles or close-range combat, a teammate's paddle might inadvertently swing near your face.
- This risk of "non-ball" impact can lead to eyelid or brow bone lacerations, or even an orbital bone fracture.
- Sports glasses with protective edges offer cushioning, preventing the frame from directly cutting the skin.
3. Blocking Dust, Debris, and Sweat:
- Wind, sand, or dust on outdoor courts, or even sweat dripping during a match, can impair your vision at a critical moment.
- Professional glasses provide a physical barrier, keeping your vision clear and naturally boosting your focus.
4. Comprehensive Protection Against Ultraviolet (UV) Damage:
- Most pickleball is played outdoors or semi-outdoors ( Though there are more and more indoor courts now ).
- Long-term UV exposure accelerates eye diseases, such as cataracts or macular degeneration.
- Good sports glasses, in my opinion, should not only resist impact but also provide 100% UV protection to offer complete eye safety.
II. What is the Hottest "Glasses without Lenses" Trend? You Should Know the Risks and Dangers Behind It !
Lately, the trendiest topic in the pickleball community is "taking the lenses out" ! Many players, including some professionals or influencers, are removing the lenses from their existing sunglasses, safety glasses, or even regular eyeglasses, leaving just the empty frames.
The reasons they do this are simple, and I can completely understand :
- Zero Fogging Probability : In hot and humid climate, sweat, breath, and humidity often cause lenses to fog up instantly, blurring vision and affecting performance. Without lenses, there is no chance of fogging, nor any glare issues.
- Weightless Feeling : With only the empty frame remaining after removing the lenses, the glasses are significantly lighter, feeling as light as air. The burden on the face disappears, allowing for greater concentration on the opponent.
This may sound like a genius "hack" to solve the fogging problem, but I must seriously warn you from a professional standpoint that this practice carries very high risks and can cause injuries much more severe than simple fogging. When you remove the lenses, you simultaneously lose three critical protective mechanisms :
1. Loss of Barrier Protection:
- This is the most direct and fatal danger ! The eye is directly exposed to the air.
- If the ball flies straight in, the eyeball will suffer the most direct and violent impact, greatly increasing the risk of eyeball rupture or retinal detachment.
- Furthermore, any high-speed flying dust or debris will enter your eye without obstruction.
2. Inability to Disperse Impact Energy:
- You might not know that a major function of qualified sports lenses is to disperse impact energy.
- When a ball or paddle hits the frame, the original lens spreads the impact force across the entire frame, mitigating pressure on the orbital bone.
- In a lens-less state, the impact force will concentrate directly at the frame's contact point, transferring all energy to your orbital bone and surrounding tissues, which can cause severe orbital bone bruising or fractures.
3. Design Flaws in "DIY" Modified Frames:
- Many "hacked" modified glasses are not professional sports models, and their frame designs do not adequately wrap around the eye area.
- Under side or oblique impacts, the ball may still enter through the gap between the frame and the face, causing injury.
III. Is the Hot-Selling Pickleball Glasses "Kitchen Blockers" Safe ? Can It Really Protect Your Eyes ?
Faced with the massive demand for a "No-Lens" solution, products like "Kitchen Blockers"—specifically designed as no-lens protective eyewear for pickleball—have emerged on the market, creating a buzz in the pickleball world. It's a Canadian brand that is pretty well-known in the community, with many influencers seen wearing it on Instagram.
We must acknowledge the innovation of these products in solving the "fogging pain point". They are indeed somewhat safer than general DIY methods:
- The official website claims it's made of military-grade material, and the frame design is more fitted than regular glasses, with a unique lower frame angle intended to allow the ball to "graze past" rather than hit head-on.
- The designers state that they are created to "mitigate impact," not just serve as an empty frame.
However, as a professional manufacturer, I must bring up the most critical standard: safety certification.
The Truth You Should Know :
- Professional Safety Standard: The globally recognized standard for racket sports protection is the American ASTM F3164, particularly in the 2024 edition, in response to the global pickleball boom, the sport has been officially integrated into the safety standards. Under these guidelines, protective eyewear is categorized into four distinct types, with lens-less models designated as Type III. This is a series of tests specifically for high-velocity racket sports like squash, tennis, racquetball and pickleball. Certified eyewear must withstand the impact of high-speed balls, ensuring the lenses do not shatter or pop out, and the frame maintains its integrity. Of course, you can also choose a higher level of protection with safety glasses that meet the US ANSI Z87 standard. The impact resistance of glasses certified under this standard is significantly greater than that of ASTM F803, making their safety completely reliable. You can refer to several models launched by BJ Eyewear :
- Product Disclaimer: As of now, on Kitchen Blockers’ official website does not claim to have passed ASTM F3164. They even states: "Although trusted by over 30,000 players and rigorously impact-tested, 100% safety can never be guaranteed".
I believe that if your requirement for eye protection is the highest level—where you need to be able to block a pickleball traveling over 40 mph, as well as sand, dust, or your teammate's paddle (I'm joking, mostly), then I recommend you choosing professional sports goggles that have passed at least ASTM F3164 certification, or higher standard like ANSI Z87.
Conclusion
Pickleball's popularity will continue to boom, and as a professional sports eyewear manufacturer, we sincerely hope every player can fully enjoy the fun of hitting the ball in complete safety.
I believe that comfort and safety should not be a difficult choice between two options. If you choose a "lens-free" lens for "anti-fog" purposes, it's best to select a product that claims to be certified to ASTM F3164.
You can make the best choice for your eyes by following these steps :
- First Choice: Look for professional sports glasses with ASTM F3164 certification or higher standard like ANSI Z87.
- Consider: Choose products equipped with impact-resistant PC lenses and professional anti-fog technology.
- Avoid: Never use general eyeglasses or sunglasses with the lenses removed for play.
BJ Eyewear is your Eye Guardian as always. Let's play happy and safe pickleball together on the court !
FAQ: Pickleball Protection Eyewear Questions Most Frequently Asked by Players
Q1: I only play casually ; do I really need to wear professional sports glasses ?
A: I believe you do! The risk of eye injury is not related to your skill level but to the ball speed and distance. Accidents can happen at any time, especially during close combat near the Kitchen Line. Professional glasses offer protection, allowing you to focus more on the game. You'll also feel more secure and confident engaging in battles near the net.
Q2: What is ASTM F3164 certification, and is it important for pickleball ?
A: ASTM F3164 is a safety standard established by the United States for ball sports goggles, it is also currently the only standard that explicitly includes pickleball in it's regulation . It certifies that the eyewear can withstand the impact of high-velocity sports balls, ensuring the lens does not shatter or pop out. For sports with high-speed ball impact risks, like pickleball, squash, tennis, and badminton, ASTM F3164 is one of the essential standards that truly guarantees safety.
Q3: Can I use regular sunglasses to replace professional sports glasses ?
A: No, you can't. Regular sunglasses lenses are typically designed for UV protection and aesthetics, lacking sufficient impact resistance84. Their lenses may shatter or detach upon high-speed impact from a pickleball, potentially causing secondary injury. Furthermore, the frame design of regular glasses does not offer the wrap-around fit and stability required for sports. You must choose professional sports glasses for pickleball.
Q4: What is the difference between a regular no-lens glasses and Kitchen Blockers ?
A: The biggest difference lies in the design purpose. "No-Lens glasses" usually refer to regular eyeglasses that players modify by removing the lenses on their own, which is extremely high risk. Kitchen Blockers is a lens-less product specifically designed for pickleball, using more impact-resistant materials and a more fitted facial design.
Q5: How can I prevent fogging while still ensuring safety ?
A: You can choose professional sports glasses with the following features :
1. Lenses equipped with high-efficiency anti-fog coating.
2. Frame design with vents or airflow channels to promote air circulation and reduce fogging probability.
3. Ensure the lens material is impact-resistant PC, If you choose glasses without lenses, make sure the product is certified to ASTM F3164 or higher standard such as ANSI Z87.