An eye surgeon who has diagnosed diseases suffered by patients living on the other side of the world via the internet will soon see them in the flesh.

Alec Harden, of Withdean Road, Brighton, will fly to the Falkland Islands on Saturday.

He will spend his stay examining hundreds of patients living on the isolated islands who only get the chance to see an eye surgeon twice a year.

Mr Harden, an honourary consultant at the Sussex Eye Hospital who has visited the Falklands once before, said: "A GP over there has been e-mailing me with photographs of patients' eyes and I have been telling him what to do. It is incredibly difficult but I manage and it helps increase the standard of care in the Falklands.

"When I get over there I will be able to check up on how the patients are progressing."

Mr Harden is one of a handful of British consultants, including gynaecologists, dermatologists and orthopaedic surgeons, who visit the Falklands to offer expert help.

Without them, the 2,500 islanders would have to make the 8,000-mile trip - an 18-hour flight - to Britain for treatment.

Any emergency eye cases have to be flown across South America to a specialist centre in Uruguay.

Derek Muhl, director of health services in the Falklands, said people will come from across the islands and the capital Stanley to see Mr Harden when he arrives for his 20-day visit.

Speaking from the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in Stanley - the only hospital in the Falklands - he said: "Visits like these are essential because otherwise islanders would face long journeys to the UK for treatment."

The King Edward VII Hospital, which is part of the NHS, only has an X-ray machine and ultrasound equipment to diagnose diseases. Four GPs and a general surgeon look after the health of the islanders.

Mr Harden, who spent three years as director of an eye hospital in Jerusalem, will have to take a portable laser with him to work on 30 patients who recently had cataract operations.

An optician is also travelling to the islands to fit any glasses he may prescribe.

Mr Harden said: "We always get a warm welcome because they need us.

"It will be hard work but I hope I will be able to take a little time off to have a look at the scenery."