Does the Bursa Pre-Macularis protect the fovea from shear stress? A possible mechanical role

Purpose of present study is to evaluate whether the Pre-Macular Bursa (PMB) modifies Wall Shear Stress (WSS) at the retinal surface during saccadic movements. We created a mathematical model consisting of 25,000 grid cells and simulated a horizontal saccade spanning 50° in 0.17s, both in absence and in presence of the PMB. Wall Shear Stress SS was computed throughout the retinal surface and the posterior pole was divided into 3 Zones comprising 400 nodes each: Zone 1 (radius 3.5 mm; 0°-17°) corresponding to the PMB area; Zone 2 (concentric annular area 5 mm in radius; 22°) and Zone 3 (concentric annular area 5.5 mm; 28°). The PMB reduced WSS significantly at the macula and increased it in the immediate surroundings. Average WSS in Zone 1 was 1.53 ± 1.01 (max 4.23 Pa) with PMB Vs 6.94 ± 9.23 (max 35.83 Pa) without. Zone 2 WSS was 9.39 ± 10.33 (max 48.36 Pa) with PMB Vs 6.95 ± 9.40 (max 38.60 Pa) without Zone 3 WSS was 8.41 ± 10.03 (max 43.16 Pa) with PMB Vs 6.88 ± 9.42 (max 39.43 Pa) without (p < 0.001 in all cases). The PMB significantly reduces WSS over the retinal surface underlying the bursa region; conversely, WSS slightly increases it in the immediate neighboring areas.