JAMAICAN opthalmologists will on Sunday host what is being dubbed as the country's first public symposium on eye diseases.

The event, organised by the newly reformed Ophthalmological Society of Jamaica (OSJ), in association with the University of the West Indies (UWI), is scheduled to take place from at the Main Medical Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Medical Sciences. It is being held under the theme 'Caring for your Eyes and the Gift of Sight'.

"It will be an informative and exciting opportunity for people to come and learn about eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and how diabetes affects the eye and what you can do about it," said the OSJ in a press release. "The symposium will also cover interesting points as to what to do in an eye emergency and how you can protect your eyes. The cost is free to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend."

The OSJ and UWI will earlier in the day host an ophthalmology symposium for medical professionals under the theme "Saving Sight, What you can do". This will be held at the Main Medical Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Medical Sciences and will include a workshop on funduscopy and lectures on management of eye disorders including eye trauma, paediatric complaints, cataract, glaucoma, and ocular manifestations of systemic diseases.