A Million Pairs, A Million Safer Points
Pickleball’s rise has been phenomenal—and so has the risk to players’ eyes. New data from JAMA Ophthalmology and ophthalmology journals show a sharp increase in pickleball-related ocular injuries over the past three years, mostly from ball strikes and paddle contact at close range.¹ ² ³ The takeaway is clear: eye protection is no longer optional.
The 1 Million ColorBoost™ Proof
Across cycling, golf, skiing, and now pickleball, more than 1 million athletes trust ColorBoost™ lens technology for sharper vision and faster visual recognition. Dink Eyewear is proud to be the exclusive pickleball partner using this same advanced optical system—pairing contrast-tuned lenses with impact-rated safety to protect you where it matters most.
Why Visibility Equals Safety
When a 40 mm ball leaves a paddle, it can travel more than 40 mph. At a kitchen-line distance of 14 feet, players have barely 250 milliseconds to react. That’s faster than the average blink. Studies of sports-related eye trauma show that reduced contrast sensitivity and poor background visibility are major contributors to accidental hits and deflections. ColorBoost™ helps by enhancing the exact wavelengths reflected by pickleballs (540–580 nm) so your eyes detect motion earlier and your brain can respond sooner.⁴ ⁵
What the Experts Recommend
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): “All racquet-sport participants should wear shatter-resistant polycarbonate eyewear.” (AAO Sports Eye Safety Guidelines)⁶
- Prevent Blindness: “Select eyewear tested to ASTM F803 standards for sports impact resistance.”⁷
- The Vision Council: Introduced the ASTM F3164-24 standard specifically for racket sports eye protectors in 2024.⁸
- Harvard Health: Warns that regular sunglasses “offer little to no protection against a fast ball strike.”⁹
- Retinal Physician: Reports cases of retinal detachment and orbital fracture in unprotected pickleball players.¹⁰
How ColorBoost™ Works
Unlike tinted sunglasses that simply darken light, ColorBoost™ lenses use spectral filtration to fine-tune light transmission curves. They selectively enhance the green-yellow range while reducing blue haze and glare—so pickleballs stand out sharper against any background. Independent optical bench tests show improved ball contrast by up to 30 %. Learn more about the science at ColorBoost.com (technical information only).
Dink Eyewear: Built for Protection and Performance
- Impact-Resistant Polycarbonate Lenses — meets ASTM sports impact criteria.
- Full Wrap Design — side-eye coverage for deflected balls and paddle swings.
- Anti-Fog and Hydrophobic Coatings — stay clear during humidity and sweat.
- RX-Ready Options — no need to choose between clarity and safety.
Shop the collection trusted by tournament and recreational players alike: Daytona Pro · Daytona Petite · RX Program.
Practical Safety Checklist for Players
- Wear ASTM F803 or F3164 rated eyewear (e.g., Dink Eyewear frames with ColorBoost™ lenses).
- Clean lenses before every match to preserve contrast and reaction speed.
- Replace eyewear if lenses show scratches or stress cracks that weaken impact resistance.
- Encourage partners and club members to adopt eye protection as standard gear.
- Store eyewear in a hard case to avoid optical distortion from warping.
The Bottom Line
Safety and performance go hand in hand. The same lens tech trusted by more than a million athletes is now your best ally on court. Dink Eyewear with ColorBoost™ lets you see the ball sooner, react faster, and keep your eyes protected through every point.
References
- JAMA Ophthalmology (2025) — Pickleball-related Ocular Injuries Study
- Ophthalmology Times — “As Pickleball Popularity Skyrockets, Eye Injuries Rise”
- Medical Xpress — “Pickleball Eye Injuries Up Nationwide”
- SportsVision.Pro — “Protect + Prevent + Play Safety Data”
- ColorBoost Technical White Paper — Spectral Transmission Curves (2024)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology — Sports Eye Safety Guidelines
- Prevent Blindness — Sports Safety Campaign (2024)
- The Vision Council — ASTM F3164 Racket Sports Standard Release (2024)
- Harvard Health — “Protect Your Eyes When Playing Pickleball” (2024)
- Retinal Physician — “Case Series of Pickleball-Related Eye Trauma” (2024)
