A sheriff's deputy cried tears of joy when he was gifted a pair of glasses that let him see the world in color for the first time.

Jeff Dishmon, from Eureka in California, was given the glasses by his colleague Samantha Freese on his birthday earlier this month.

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office deputy stood holding a bouquet of brightly-colored balloons as Ms Freese presented him with the small black case.

Samantha Freese gifts the EnChroma glasses to Jeff Dishmon, who has been colorblind his entire life

He froze in shock as he placed the EnChroma glasses on his face, struggling to contain his tears when he saw the green fields and blue sky for the very first time.

Ms Freese, who was also near-tears at the scene, said: 'What do you see?'

The deputy, 59, said: 'It's a different world.'

Tears streamed down his face as Ms Freese pointed out different colors on the horizon, including the green grass and purple balloons.

Mr Dishmon cries tears of joy as he looks out at the fields around him, viewing green grass and trees for the first time

The pair embrace as an overwhelmed sheriff's deputy Mr Dishmon describes the scene around him

Mr Dishmon, who has been colorblind his entire life, then took his colleague into his arms and thanked his team for the gift.

He said: 'My wife is going to watch the sunset with me.'

The deputy called his wife to tell her about the incredible gift, wiping tears from his eyes as he described what he could see.

He said: 'For the first time in my life I see all the colors.

'You wouldn't believe this place, the whole place is lit up - the whole world is lit up.

When Ms Freese asks him what is sees, an emotional Mr Dishmon says 'it's a different world'

'I can't wait to see you.'

Colorblindness is much more common in men - and those with the deficiency often aren't able to distinguish between colors.

Some people who suffer from colorblindness may not even know they are seeing the world differently until they are tested in a clinic.

EnChroma glasses, which retail between £200 and £350 ($255 and $446), amplify the color signal sent to the brain by removing wavelengths of light between primary colors.

This system, Digital Color Boost, allows colors to appear brighter and more accurately for the wearer.