Batting and catching are demanding visual tasks, as cricketers need to make rapid judgements about the ball trajectory and react quickly. There is an element of self-selection, with successful batters unlikely to have reduced visual acuity or colour vision deficiencies. Ocular dominance may have a role in batting performance, potentially conferring an advantage if the dominant eye is facing forward. We should not assume that vision is stable throughout a player’s career. Cricketers typically are not routinely screened for reduced vision and ocular disease. Conditions such as myopia, pterygia and keratoconus can affect cricketers in their peak years, which can affect performance and, in some players, may explain an unexpected reduction in performance. Therefore, we advocate for professional cricketers to undergo regular ophthalmic assessments to maximise their performance throughout their professional careers. Ocular and orbital injuries can occur during cricket and can lead to severe vision loss. In some cases, these can be career-ending. Blunt trauma to the eye from a cricket ball can lead to retinal detachment, commotio retinae (bruising of the retina), intraocular haemorrhage, lens subluxation and corneal abrasions. Appropriate eye protection should be worn, even during training, to prevent loss of vision. Cricketers are highly exposed to UV light due to playing long games in outdoor unshaded conditions from childhood onwards. UV protection for the eyes and eyelids is often neglected, even in players using sunscreen and hats. Chronic UV exposure can cause pterygia, ocular surface tumours, eyelid cancers (which account for 5–10% of all skin cancers), cataracts and, later in life, macular degeneration. To reduce these risks, UV protection should be worn from childhood to protect the eyes and skin.