Brothers see red over football

The brothers will be able to watch their team's triumphs

Two colour blind brothers who have longed to see Manchester United in their famous red strip have undergone a pioneering operation.

Gareth Higton, 12, and brother James, 10, were completely blind to all shades of red and could only see their favourite team in a sludgy grey-brown colour.

But the boys, from Colwyn Bay, north Wales, can now watch the Red Devils in full colour after being fitted with special lenses.

Manchester United is a very good reason to improve their red-seeing ability.

Eye consultant David Harris

Normally colour blindness, present in 8% of males, affects the patient's ability to see green.

But 1% of the population, including Gareth and James, are colour blind to red and cannot distinguish it when on a green background.

The brothers' inability to see things in 3D is also corrected by the lenses.

Their mother, Eileen, said the treatment was wonderful.

"They both support Manchester United and have the kit but have never been able to see it properly," she said.

Special lenses

"When they watched a match the football field had no depth. It is fantastic for them to see a game properly for the first time."

The ChromaGen lenses can be fitted as glasses or contact lenses and were invented by Chester eye consultant David Harris.

Each case is prescribed differently but all glasses have one magenta lens for the right eye and a yellow lens for the left.

Mr Harris said he was delighted that his two young patients could watch their favourite team.

'Full spectrum'

The lenses were developed by the consultant in 1996 and since then have been fitted to colour blind youngsters in private clinics across the country.

The brothers were initially seen last year by Mr Harris and were fitted with the ChromaGen lenses a week ago.

Gareth was given contact lenses while James will wear glasses until he is older.

Mr Harris said: "Manchester United is a very good reason to improve their red-seeing ability.

"I am delighted to be able to give them the opportunity to see the full spectrum."