ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This is the first case series of two instances of retinal tears due to an injury sustained while playing pickleball. METHODS: Case series. RESULTS: A 66-year old white man presented with a symptomatic retinal tear, localized retinal detachment, and mild vitreous hemorrhage nine days after he was hit in his left eye while playing pickleball. The patient was not wearing eye protection while playing. The patient was treated with cryotherapy, and after three weeks, the vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment resolved. In addition, a 60-year-old woman presented with a posterior vitreous detachment and a symptomatic retinal tear 1 month after blunt trauma to her left eye from a pickleball injury. She underwent successful laser retinopexy treatment. CONCLUSION: Proper eye protection should be strongly considered while playing pickleball, especially in the elderly population or in individuals who are at higher risk for retinal detachment.
