Christy Chung Reveals Daughter Cayla’s Battle with Congenital Amblyopia, Condition Discovered by Chance at Age Five

HONG KONG — Congenital vision disorders affect millions of children worldwide, yet a significant number of cases go undetected until well into early childhood — often because young children lack the language or awareness to communicate what they cannot see. It is within this medical reality that actress Christy Chung’s youngest daughter, Cayla, was diagnosed with congenital amblyopia, a condition that had left one of her eyes functionally blind from birth, undetected for the first five years of her life.

Reportedly, the disclosure came during a recent livestream hosted by the 55-year-old Hong Kong-based actress, drawing widespread attention from fans and the public who had long admired Cayla’s striking appearance without knowledge of the medical challenges she had quietly overcome.

Christy Chung Publicly Discloses Cayla’s Congenital Amblyopia Diagnosis for the First Time

During the livestream, Chung addressed her daughter’s condition in candid and emotional terms. Cayla, now 15, was born with congenital amblyopia — commonly referred to as “lazy eye” — a condition in which the brain fails to fully process input from one eye, leading to significantly reduced vision in the affected eye that cannot be corrected by glasses alone.

“She was born with one eye that essentially couldn’t see. It was congenital,” Chung stated during the broadcast.

The actress recounted that the diagnosis was not the result of a scheduled screening but was discovered entirely by chance. Chung had taken her eldest daughter for a routine eye examination when she decided, on impulse, to have Cayla checked at the same appointment. Cayla was five years old at the time.

“I asked the doctor if he could check Cayla as well. After the examination, he told me quite seriously: ‘You must take her to see a specialist’,” Chung recalled.

The subsequent specialist assessment revealed the full extent of the condition. One of Cayla’s eyes registered a refractive error exceeding 1,000 degrees — a measurement indicating she was, in practical terms, virtually blind in that eye.

“One of her eyes was over 1,000 degrees; she was virtually blind in that eye. I had no idea!” Chung said, visibly shaken in recounting the moment.

Cayla’s Two-Year Eye Patch Treatment and Gradual Recovery from Severe Lazy Eye

The core challenge in treating congenital amblyopia — particularly when diagnosed after early infancy — lies in retraining the brain to rely on the weaker eye. The standard clinical approach involves occluding the stronger eye with a patch, forcing the neural pathways associated with the weaker eye to become active through sustained use.

For Cayla, this meant wearing an eye patch over her functioning eye for two consecutive years. The process required consistent commitment from a young child at an age when the social and psychological pressures of wearing a visible medical device can be considerable.

Chung expressed significant pride in her daughter’s response to the treatment regimen. “She’s amazing. She wore the patch diligently to train the weaker eye. Her vision eventually improved from over 1,000 degrees down to 500,” Chung shared during the livestream.

The improvement — from over 1,000 degrees of refractive error down to approximately 500 degrees — represents a meaningful clinical recovery, though Cayla continues to manage the condition. Following two years of intensive treatment and therapy, Chung confirmed that her daughter’s vision has continued to stabilise and improve, describing the outcome as a source of immense relief for the family.

Chung’s Maternal Guilt Underscores a Broader Reality Facing Parents of Children with Silent Congenital Conditions

Reflecting on the five years during which Cayla’s condition went undetected, Chung spoke openly about the guilt she carried upon learning of her daughter’s diagnosis. The actress acknowledged that the condition had shown no outwardly obvious symptoms, and that Cayla herself had had no frame of reference to report a problem.

“She was so young and didn’t know any better. She had been navigating the world with only one functioning eye since birth,” Chung said.

The situation Chung described is consistent with clinical observations surrounding paediatric amblyopia. Because the condition is neurological rather than structural, affected children typically do not experience pain and often demonstrate no overt behavioural signs that alert caregivers. The affected eye may appear physically normal, making early detection dependent on formal vision screening.

Chung has three daughters in total. Yasmine Ross, 27, is from her first marriage to British businessman Glen Ross. Jaden, 16, and Cayla, 15, are both her daughters with second husband, music producer Jon Yen. Chung is currently married to Chinese actor Shawn Zhang, 42.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christy Chung’s Daughter Cayla and Her Eye Condition

What eye condition does Christy Chung’s daughter Cayla have? Cayla was diagnosed with congenital amblyopia, also known as “lazy eye,” a condition present from birth in which one eye has significantly reduced vision due to the brain’s failure to process its visual input normally. In Cayla’s case, one eye had a refractive error exceeding 1,000 degrees, rendering it functionally blind.

How was Cayla’s congenital amblyopia discovered? The condition was discovered by chance when Cayla was five years old. Christy Chung had taken her eldest daughter for a routine eye examination and asked the doctor to check Cayla as well. The doctor immediately advised that Cayla be seen by a specialist, which led to the formal diagnosis.

How was Cayla’s lazy eye treated? Cayla underwent two years of occlusion therapy, which involved wearing an eye patch over her stronger, functioning eye. This method forces the brain to activate and strengthen the neural connections associated with the weaker eye. After two years of consistent treatment, Cayla’s vision in the affected eye improved from over 1,000 degrees of refractive error to approximately 500 degrees.

How old is Cayla now and how is her vision? Cayla is currently 15 years old. Following her two-year treatment programme, her vision has continued to stabilise and improve. Christy Chung confirmed during her livestream that she is greatly relieved by the ongoing recovery.

Why did Christy Chung feel guilty about Cayla’s diagnosis? Chung expressed guilt over the fact that Cayla’s congenital amblyopia went undetected for the first five years of her life. She explained that Cayla had been too young to articulate that something was wrong with her vision, meaning the child had unknowingly been functioning with sight in only one eye from birth.

How many children does Christy Chung have? Christy Chung has three daughters: Yasmine Ross, 27, from her first marriage to British businessman Glen Ross; and Jaden, 16, and Cayla, 15, both from her relationship with music producer Jon Yen, her second husband. Chung is currently married to Chinese actor Shawn Zhang, 42.

What is congenital amblyopia and can it be treated in children? Congenital amblyopia is a form of lazy eye that is present from birth, caused by abnormal visual development that results in one eye being significantly weaker than the other. It can be treated — most effectively in early childhood — through occlusion therapy (eye patching), corrective lenses, or in some cases vision therapy. Earlier detection generally leads to better outcomes, as the brain remains more neurologically adaptable in younger children.

Cayla’s experience, as disclosed by Christy Chung, reflects the broader importance of early childhood vision screening, particularly for conditions that present no visible or behavioural symptoms in their early stages. The actress’s candid account has brought renewed public attention to congenital amblyopia and the role that incidental, routine check-ups can play in detecting conditions that might otherwise remain invisible for years.