Danger in Sight: Eye Injuries in Racket and Stick Sports

Epidemiological and biomechanical analysis of eye injuries in floorball, padel tennis and squash: risk profiles, physical mechanisms and preventive intervention strategies.

The evolution of recreational sports in recent decades has led to the emergence and popularization of highly dynamic disciplines that place specific demands on the human musculoskeletal system and the sensory organs. In this context, floorball (unihockey), padel tennis and squash have established themselves as three of the fastest-growing sports worldwide. Although they offer significant cardiovascular and social benefits, they share a critical risk profile: a disproportionately high incidence of severe eye injuries, primarily caused by direct impact from high-velocity projectiles or sticks/rackets in confined spaces.

1. Floorball – Injury Landscape and Epidemiology

Floorball is a fast indoor team sport with five field players plus a goalkeeper per team. Despite its image as a low-impact alternative to ice hockey, the data show a substantial injury incidence. Studies report rates between 2.4 and 4.1 injuries per 1,000 hours of exposure. The severity of these injuries varies considerably: 49 % are classified as mild (1–7 days off), 29 % as moderate (8–30 days off) and 22 % as severe (more than 30 days off). While the majority of trauma affects the lower extremities – particularly the ankle and the knee (~60 % of all cases) – facial and eye injuries occupy a critical position because they are often associated with long-term impairment.

2. Padel – The Ophthalmological Challenge

Padel tennis combines elements of tennis and squash on a glass-and-mesh enclosed court (20 × 10 m). The use of a perforated solid racket and a slightly depressurized tennis ball, together with the rebound off the walls, creates an unpredictable trajectory environment. Ball speeds during a smash regularly reach 180–200 km/h, which – combined with the short distance between players (especially in doubles, the standard format) – generates an extreme risk for ocular trauma.

3. Squash – Thermodynamics and Biomechanics of an Extreme Risk

Squash is, statistically speaking, the racket sport with the highest documented risk of severe eye injuries. The combination of a small, dense rubber ball (~24 g), confined court geometry (9.75 × 6.4 m) and the necessity for both players to occupy the same playing area produces a unique constellation of impact mechanisms. The kinetic energy of a squash ball at 250 km/h is sufficient to massively deform the orbital tissue.

E_kin = ½ · m · v²  →  0.5 × 0.024 kg × (69.4 m/s)² ≈ 57.8 J

4. Comparative Pathophysiology – What Hits the Eye?

5. International Standards for Eye Protection

6. Regulatory Outlook 2026

The International Floorball Federation (IFF) is examining a binding obligation to wear protective eyewear in all youth competitions starting from the 2026/27 season. In Sweden and Switzerland this rule already applies up to U16 in clubs. For padel, the World Padel Tour is in dialogue with manufacturers about the introduction of an ISO 18527-3 certified standard model, which is to be made available as a recommendation – initially without obligation – for amateur tournaments from 2026 onwards. Squash is the front-runner: World Squash and most national federations have been requiring certified protection (ASTM F803) for all junior competitions for years; in 2026 this regulation will be extended to senior amateur leagues in several European countries.

7. Conclusions and Recommendations

Floorball, padel and squash share a clearly definable risk profile for severe ocular trauma. Although the underlying mechanisms differ – stick blade impact, blunt ball trauma at short distance, and direct globe deformation by a small dense ball – the consequence is the same: a high proportion of injuries that are preventable. The literature consistently shows that certified polycarbonate goggles reduce the risk of severe eye injury by approximately 90 %.

In conclusion, the protection of vision is a shared responsibility between federations, manufacturers and the athletes themselves. The technological solution in the form of polycarbonate protective goggles is available and highly effective; its broad adoption is the decisive factor in being able to enjoy the positive health benefits of these dynamic sports without the risk of life-altering visual impairment.

A data-driven analysis on sports medicine.