I'm no opthalmologist but I would agree that alot energy delivered largely with the velocity component may cause enough sudden inertia to move the head violently thus creating enough shear forces to seperate the retina from its scleral attachment.

I would feel that the shooters technique,stance and muscle tone would affect the outcome somewhat as well. If the shooter resists the recoil with a firm stance logic suggests that would be better than just soaking up the recoil by being pushed violently backwards.A firm stance should reduce the effect of the inertia on the head, creating less effective cranial movement.

If you have had a cataract operation you are at risk because you have no structures in the anterior chamber of the eye to resist movement or forward interia of the vitreous pulling and tearing the retina should the head be moved violently backward.The lens is gone and even an artificial lense is not anchored like the natural lens of the eye.

So for those of you having had cataract surgery and still shooting the big bores-- beware!!!