See The Ball Sooner. Stay Safer. How Dink Eyewear helps you track shots faster and protect your eyes on court

Pickleball moves fast. On a compact court, a 40-mm plastic ball can go from paddle to pupil in the blink of an eye. New clinical data show eye injuries in pickleball have risen quickly as participation has soared—most often from direct hits by the ball or accidental paddle contact. Researchers analyzing national ER data found pickleball-related ocular injuries increased sharply in recent years, highlighting the need for proven eye protection for players of all ages. JAMA Network

At the same time, the sport delivers real health benefits—Apple’s Heart & Movement Study shows pickleball is a win for overall activity and fitness. The goal isn’t to scare you off the court; it’s to keep you playing longer and safer with the right gear. Apple

Why your eyes are at risk in pickleball

• Close quarters & quick exchanges: The kitchen invites volley-to-volley play with minimal reaction time.

• Unpredictable deflections: Off-edge or off-tip strikes change ball trajectory in milliseconds.

• Aging athletes, growing participation: Many players are 50+, a group over-represented in the injury data. JAMA Network

Ophthalmology organizations recommend sport-appropriate, shatter-resistant eyewear—especially for racquet sports. Polycarbonate lenses and wrap coverage reduce the likelihood that a direct hit, glance, or debris makes contact with the eye. American Academy of Ophthalmology+1

Designed to help you see the ball sooner

Seeing the ball sooner buys you reaction time—which reduces mishits and near-face scrambles.

How Dink Eyewear is built for fast visual pickup:

• Contrast-tuned tints (ColorBoost™): Our outdoor pickleball tints are engineered to heighten the visibility of a green/yellow ball against sky, court, and foliage backgrounds, helping your brain lock onto the ball earlier in flight. Earlier detection supports faster motor responses and steadier stroke preparation. (General sports-vision principle: improving target contrast supports quicker detection and decision making.)

• High-clarity, low-distortion optics: Impact-resistant lenses with precise curvature preserve depth cues and ball size consistency as the ball approaches, aiding timing at the kitchen line.

• Anti-fog + venting: Clear lenses matter most when play heats up. Our coatings and ventilation help maintain transparency during high-tempo rallies and humid conditions.

• Wraparound field of view: A wider, uninterrupted peripheral view helps you track cross-court attacks and poaches without head bobbing, saving precious milliseconds.

Bottom line: Better ball visibility → faster recognition → more controlled responses. That chain can help reduce the awkward, last-second flinches that lead to facial or eye contact.

Protection that doesn’t compromise performance

While we obsess over seeing the ball better, Dink frames are also built to shield your eyes if a point goes sideways.

• Shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses: Chosen for high impact resistance and light weight—the material type ophthalmology groups recommend for sport protection. American Academy of Ophthalmology+1

• Full-coverage geometry: Curved lenses and side wrap help deflect glancing blows and keep dust and wind out.

• Secure fit for movement: Adjustable nose bridges and temple grip keep the frame stable through dinks, drives, and overheads, so protection is where you need it when you need it.

• RX-ready options: If you wear prescription lenses, we offer impact-resistant RX solutions so you don’t have to choose between clarity and protection.

What the latest research says (and how to act on it)

• Injuries are rising: A 20-year analysis of emergency-department data shows a recent jump in pickleball-related eye injuries, most commonly from ball strikes, paddle contact, and falls. Protective eyewear is a practical mitigation. JAMA Network

• Medical guidance is clear: The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends sport-appropriate protective eyewear with shatter-resistant (polycarbonate) lenses for racquet sports. American Academy of Ophthalmology+1

• Pickleball is good for you: Apple’s Heart & Movement Study highlights meaningful health benefits from pickleball participation—so keep playing, just play smart. Apple

Pro tips to boost visibility & safety today

1. Match your tint to your venue. Outdoors, use contrast-enhancing tints designed for green/yellow balls; indoors, opt for clear/low-tint lenses to maximize light transmission.

2. Keep lenses clean and fog-free. Smudges and fog degrade contrast and delay recognition.

3. Secure your fit. A slipping frame breaks your sightline and reduces protective coverage.

4. Warm up your eyes. A few quick saccade and focus drills before play can sharpen tracking.

5. Make eyewear a habit. Like a seatbelt, protection only works if you’re wearing it every point.

The Dink difference

Dink Eyewear was built by players who wanted faster ball pickup and serious protection in one pair—without the bulk of goggles or the distortion of cheap plastics. If you’ve ever lost a ball in the background or turned your head at the last second to avoid a stinger, it’s time to level up your vision and your safety.

Shop the lineup: Daytona Pro, Daytona Petite, RX options, and tournament-legal tints.

Sources & further reading

• Lacher CR, et al. Pickleball-Related Ocular Injuries Among Patients in US Emergency Departments, 2005-2024 (JAMA Ophthalmology, Oct 16, 2025). JAMA Network

• American Academy of Ophthalmology – Sports Eye Safety & Protective Eyewear guidance. American Academy of Ophthalmology+1

• Apple Newsroom – Apple Heart & Movement Study: Health benefits of pickleball (Oct 18, 2023). Apple

• Additional news coverage summarizing the 2025 study (MedicalXpress, HealthDay syndication). Medical Xpress+1