NBA Eye Injuries: A Hidden League Problem
In the high-octane world of professional basketball, where explosive athleticism meets physical contact, injuries are inevitable. But one alarming category has been quietly escalating without much media attention: eye injuries. A recent study found that in just 17 months, NBA players suffered 1,092 eye injuries, most of them caused by elbows or rebound-related collisions. Shockingly, almost none wore protective eyewear.
While slam dunks and buzzer-beaters steal the show, there’s a hidden threat haunting the hardwood: eye injuries. From corneal abrasions to orbital fractures, NBA athletes regularly risk serious ocular damage. A groundbreaking study published by JAMA Ophthalmology has revealed shocking statistics about the frequency, causes, and long-term consequences of these underreported injuries.
This article dives deep into the epidemic of eye injuries in the NBA, exploring the data, causes, prevention challenges, and why protective eyewear still hasn’t gained traction in the league—even in the face of long-term risks.
When Vision Meets Violence on the Court
Basketball is a contact-heavy sport. With towering athletes battling for rebounds, driving through defenses, and contesting shots, the eyes become some of the most vulnerable body parts on the court.
Though it might not be as attention-grabbing as a torn ACL or sprained ankle, eye trauma can threaten careers—and even long-term vision. The 1992–93 NBA season offered rare, detailed insight into this often-overlooked threat, and the findings remain eerily relevant even three decades later.
Eye Injuries on the Rise, League Still Lags on Prevention
A striking retrospective of NBA injury data reveals a persistent safety blindspot: eye injuries are common, costly—and largely unprotected.
A landmark 17-month prospective study (February 1992–June 1993) found 59 eye injuries (5.4% of all injuries) among 1,092 reported injuries, translating to 1.44 injuries per 1,000 game exposures. In 96.6% of those cases, players were not wearing any eye protection. Most injuries stemmed from rebounds (30.5%) and offensive contact (27.1%), with fingers (35.6%) or elbows (28.8%) causing the trauma. Injuries included eyelid lacerations, corneal abrasions, and orbital fractures; nine players missed games as a result.
(JAMA Network)
What Types of Eye Injuries Are Most Common?
The eyes and their surrounding structures are delicate. Here’s how the 59 reported cases break down:
| Injury Type | Cases | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Eyelid abrasions/lacerations | 30 | 50.9% |
| Eyelid or periorbital contusions | 17 | 28.8% |
| Corneal abrasions | 7 | 11.9% |
| Orbital fractures | 3 | 5.1% |
The eyelid area took the brunt of most injuries, often leading to swelling, bruising, and in some cases, the need for medical intervention.
What Causes These Injuries? Fingers and Elbows Are the Biggest Offenders
In the high-speed chaos of an NBA game, accidental contact is inevitable. But certain moments—especially rebounding and drives to the basket—are risk hotspots.
- 🤜 Fingers caused 35.6% of injuries
- 💪 Elbows caused 28.8% of injuries
- 🏀 Rebounding caused 30.5% of incidents
- 🧍 Offense-related moves caused 27.1%
NBA players like Amar’e Stoudemire, who suffered a detached retina in 2009, have seen their careers altered by ocular trauma. He later began wearing protective goggles—a trend still rare among modern players.
The Financial Toll: NBA Loses Millions to Elbow-and-Finger Drama
A 2018–19 season audit by Baylor College physicians Dr. Michael Yen and Dr. Rod Foroozan highlighted 14 eye injuries costing the NBA $2.4 million in lost player productivity. Those 14 injuries resulted in 18 missed regular-season games and approximately one missed win per team, which can affect playoff seeding and revenues.( American Academy of Ophthalmology)
A broader retrospective review spanning 2010–11 to 2017–18 documented 30 eye injuries causing 106 missed games and nearly $7.49 million in losses. Both injury rates and financial costs saw upward trends (Pearson’s r ~ 0.68–0.67). Orbital fractures averaged 11.5 missed games versus 2.8 for contusions/lacerations. PubMed
The Consequences: Missed Games and Long-Term Vision Issues
Of the 59 players who sustained eye injuries:
- 🛑 9 players (15.3%) missed at least one game due to the injury
- ⏳ Some required multiple follow-ups with eye specialists
- ⚠️ Untreated injuries (especially corneal abrasions and orbital fractures) can lead to permanent damage or vision loss
Why Most NBA Players Don’t Wear Protective Eyewear
Here’s the alarming part: 96.6% of players (57 of 59) weren’t wearing protective eyewear when they were injured.
“Goggles can impair vision and peripheral awareness,” said former NBA athletic trainer Keith Jones (Houston Rockets), in a 2004 interview with ESPN. “Players feel like it slows them down.”
Despite the risks, fashion and comfort still seem to outweigh safety. Unlike helmets in football or shin guards in soccer, eye protection in basketball remains optional and underused.
Players Speak Out: “I Don’t Want to” — Anthony Davis Again Declines Goggles
Star forward Anthony Davis, despite multiple corneal abrasions including one in November 2024, persists with his refusal to wear protective eyewear:
“No. Because I don’t want to… I wore goggles for three years when I was younger… And the doctor said I didn’t have to. If it gets to a point where doctor orders me to… then of course I will.” (SI)
Davis previously tried goggles in his youth and briefly in the 2020 bubble—but abandoned them quickly due to discomfort, despite public encouragement from Lakers legends like James Worthy.(Los Angeles Times)
Players Who’ve Publicly Battled Eye Injuries
Several modern NBA stars have suffered publicized eye-related injuries, reminding fans just how real this threat is:
- Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns) suffered a right eye contusion during the 2021 Western Conference Finals.
- Anthony Davis (Lakers) sustained a corneal abrasion in 2020, missing multiple games.
- James Harden experienced double eye contusions during the 2019 playoffs, dramatically affecting his shooting performance.
Their post-game interviews reveal frustration, pain, and concerns about visibility on the court.
🗣️ “I could barely see,” Harden said in a 2019 press conference after getting scratched in both eyes. “Everything was blurry for days.”
Legends Who Did Wear Goggles
Historically, several NBA stars embraced eyewear after injuries:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar began wearing goggles in the 1970s and continued through the early ’80s after suffering recurring corneal abrasions ().
- Amar’e Stoudemire suffered a detached retina in 2009 and initially committed to goggles but abandoned them after seven games due to discomfort. The same eye later required further treatment ().
- Kirk Hinrich wore glasses during gameplay after team doctors warned of potential sight loss.
Should the NBA Mandate Protective Eyewear? Experts Weigh In
Dr. Michael Repka, MD, professor of ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University, believes it’s time for change:
“Professional leagues need to take ocular safety seriously. If head trauma can lead to protocols and rules, so should eye trauma. Protective eyewear should be normalized, if not mandated.”
Meanwhile, former NBA star Horace Grant, famous for wearing goggles throughout his career due to nearsightedness, became an unlikely safety advocate:
“It wasn’t just for style. I had to wear them. But they probably saved me more times than I can count.”
A Case Study in Neglect: Why Eye Injuries Still Don’t Make Headlines
Despite the numbers, eye injuries still don’t get much media attention unless they sideline a superstar. Unlike ACL tears, they rarely have obvious replays, and many injuries are internal or delayed in symptoms.
Yet, the long-term stakes can be just as high.
“Losing vision in one eye means you lose depth perception, which is critical for shooting and passing,” said Dr. Monica Khitri, a New York-based sports ophthalmologist.
The Way Forward: Awareness, Technology, and Policy
So what needs to change?
- Better eyewear design: Companies like Oakley and Nike have started developing ultralight, anti-fog, impact-resistant eyewear for basketball use.
- Mandatory protection for youth leagues: Just as mouthguards are required in some youth sports, eye protection should be mandated at lower levels.
- Education: Teams, coaches, and players need better training on recognizing eye injuries and acting immediately.
Conclusion:
Protect the Players, Protect the Game
Eye injuries are more than just temporary setbacks—they can end careers and change lives. The NBA and other basketball leagues have a responsibility to look beyond highlight reels and start prioritizing ocular safety with the same intensity they’ve shown for concussions and ACLs.
Whether it’s through tech-driven eyewear, smarter rules, or culture shifts, the goal is simple: keep players safe and seeing clearly—on and off the court.
Eye injuries in the NBA are neither rare nor trivial. With data showing dozens injured, thousands of lost games, and millions in financial loss, it’s clear the league faces a preventable problem. And yet, despite better technology today, many players choose discomfort over eye protection.
The path forward could be simple: normalize eyewear use, highlight medical wisdom, and embrace safety as style. Because in the NBA, preserving vision should matter as much as making history.
