Dr. Mohamed Hamza, who was for many years Bermuda's only eye specialist, has died at the age of 59.

The Libyan-born eye surgeon arrived on the Island in the late 1970s and was married first to Susan, a Bermudian with whom he had four children.

He later re-married Amanda and they lived in West Side Road, Somerset.

Shortly after arriving on the Island, Dr. Hamza took over from Dr. Ray Smith, who at that time was Bermuda's only full-time eye specialist.

He was able to perform cornea transplants, saving many Bermudians the inconvenience of travelling abroad for the operation.

His colleague in Bermuda, Dr. Henry Subair, with whom he trained at Bristol University, England, last night paid tribute to Dr. Hamza.

"He was extremely well-respected by his colleagues as a surgeon and he was so well-qualified and experienced,'' he said.

"During his first marriage, he was in Libya for a short time as a professor of optomology, but he left and came back to Bermuda because his wife was Bermudian.'' Dr. Subair said he, Dr. Hamza and two other doctors on the Island returned to Bristol University four years ago for a 25-year reunion.

"He was a very good and emotional event. He was known not only in Bermuda and Libya, but also in Bristol.'' The cause of Dr. Hamza's death is not known and funeral arrangments have not yet been made.

But his remains will be taken back to Libya for burial where they will be with his three surviving sisters and extended family.

Dr. Subair said last night that Dr. Hamza's children, Nadia, Sarrah, Mohamed and Alia, were with him until his death.