The Possible Eye Risks of Healthy Hobbies That May Surprise You

We all know that staying active and doing activities we enjoy is great for overall wellness. Keeping active and engaging in healthy hobbies can boost your fitness, improve your mood, and decrease stress. 

But some hobbies, such as pickleball, yoga, and skiing, can pose surprising risks to your eyes and vision.
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You don't need to stop doing the activities you enjoy, but it's helpful to be aware of potential risks to your eyes and to take simple steps to protect your vision while you do the things you love. 

Continue reading for some common hobbies, their potential risks to your eyes, and ways to protect your vision.
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Pickleball 

Pickleball stands as one of the most popular and fastest-growing sports in the country. It can enhance agility and help build social connections. However, pickleball injuries are fairly common. Among these injuries are eye injuries. According to the American Medical Association, researchers estimated that over 1,200 people sustained eye injuries from pickleball in 2024. The most common mechanism of injury is being hit by the ball. Injuries can also occur from falls and being hit by the paddle. 

Other racket sports, including racquetball and tennis, can also cause eye injuries. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends wearing eye protection when playing pickleball to substantially reduce the risk of eye injury. 
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Yoga

Yoga is a popular form of exercise and can improve flexibility and balance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, almost 17% of adults practiced yoga in the last 12 months.

But certain inversion yoga positions, such as downward dog and headstands, may temporarily increase eye pressure. For most people with healthy eyes, these changes in eye pressure are brief and do not cause lasting harm.

However, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, holding these positions for extended periods of time may be problematic for people with glaucoma. This doesn't mean you necessarily have to give up yoga if you have glaucoma. Talk to your eye care specialist to determine if there are positions you should avoid.
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Skiing 

Skiing and snowboarding are excellent ways to enjoy the outdoors and get exercise during the colder months, but it is helpful to be aware of the risks.

The risk of eye injury during winter sports is primarily due to UV exposure from the sun. Reflected sunlight off the snow can increase the risk of photokeratitis, commonly called snow blindness. Snow blindness is a sunburn on the cornea. It is a temporary condition that can cause irritation, blurred vision, and pain. Wearing goggles specifically designed for skiing can help reduce your risk of UV-related damage.
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Woodworking 

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, hobbies, such as woodworking, may cause fragments or dust particles to fly into the air and possibly lead to an eye injury. People often feel safe in their own home and may neglect to wear eye protection when performing hobbies such as woodworking. 

If you use tools during your woodworking that drill or cut, wearing protective eyewear is vital, even when completing short projects. 
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Eye protection is your best bet 

One thing all of the hobbies and sports above have in common is that eye protection greatly reduces the risk of an eye injury. Eye injuries happen in a matter of seconds. Many are prevented from wearing protective eyewear. Protective eyewear blocks flying objects. It also reduces the risk of permanent vision loss.

We hope the above information provides an important reminder on the benefits of protective eyewear. If you would like to schedule an eye appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.