Q: I am 26 years old suffering from floaters and flashes for the last 2.5 years. I got my retina tested two times two years back. It was alright then. Now for the past few days these floaters and flashes have increased. Is there is any danger to my retina?

A:If you are short-sighted (myopic), this is common and normally harmless. Moreover you will only notice them when you look at bright lights or against bright background. If it has been there for so long, it is unlikely to be dangerous, but there is a possibility of retinal tear, which may lead to retinal detachment. You should check your field of vision with each eye separately, and if it is not affected, there is no need to worry. However, if you want to be sure, your eye specialist should check your retinal periphery after dilating your pupils.