Oscar-winning British actress Dame Judi Dench has revealed that deteriorating eyesight has severely affected her daily life, leaving her unable to read or perform in films and stage productions as she once did.
The 91-year-old actress, who was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2012, disclosed the extent of her condition during an interview with Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“I can’t be on stage. I can’t do a play anymore. I can’t do a film anymore. I can’t read anymore,” Dench said.
Key Highlights
- Dame Judi Dench says worsening eyesight has left her unable to read or perform in films and theatre as before.
- The 91-year-old actress was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration in 2012.
- Dench says her sight loss sometimes makes it difficult to recognise people.
- She won an Academy Award for her role as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love.
- The veteran performer is also widely known for playing M in the James Bond film franchise.
- Despite the challenges, Dench continues to speak about her love of Shakespeare, acting and the arts.
Judi Dench Opens Up About the Impact of Vision Loss
Dench explained that her deteriorating eyesight has made several everyday activities increasingly difficult, including reading and recognising familiar faces.
She recalled awkward encounters in which she mistook strangers for people she knew and nearly embraced them before realising her mistake.
Asked about growing older, the veteran actress said she preferred not to dwell too much on the subject.
“There’s nothing to say for it at all. [I] don’t think about it too much,” she said.
What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration, commonly known as AMD, is an eye condition that affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for detailed central vision. It can interfere with tasks that require detailed sight, including reading, watching television and identifying people, although its effects vary from person to person.
Dench was diagnosed with the condition in 2012 and has spoken publicly over the years about its effects on her professional and personal life.
In previous interviews, she discussed the difficulties of seeing on film sets and learning scripts while coping with declining eyesight.
Although her condition has significantly limited her ability to perform, Dench has continued to make public appearances and discuss how she adapts to life with sight loss.
She has also spoken about the importance of radio, which allows her to remain connected to entertainment and storytelling.
Judi Dench’s Award-Winning Acting Career
Despite the challenges posed by her condition, Dench remains one of Britain’s most celebrated performers, with a career spanning more than seven decades across theatre, television and film.
She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1999 for portraying Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love.
Dench also gained international recognition for playing M, the head of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, in the James Bond film franchise. She made her debut in the role in GoldenEye in 1995.
Her performances have earned her widespread acclaim and established her as one of the most respected figures in British acting.
Read also:
- Justin Bieber headlines Coachella with nostalgia-filled comeback performance
- Actress Ruby welcomes first child with husband
- Stephen Colbert to write new Lord of the Rings film
Actress Recalls Meeting Sidney Poitier
During the interview, Dench reflected on meeting the late American actor Sidney Poitier, who became the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964.
She recalled that Poitier visited her backstage in New York while she was performing in Amy’s View.
Describing the unexpected encounter, Dench said it was “thrilling” and remembered Poitier as charming and very tall.
She also recounted an invitation to lunch from former MI6 chief Sir David Spedding. Dench said she arrived about 20 minutes late after the driver sent to collect her struggled to locate her home.
She recalled apologising for the delay and explaining what had happened.
Dench also discussed the prospect of another James Bond film but declined to offer an opinion on who should take on the next phase of the franchise.
Judi Dench Reflects on Her Lifelong Love of Shakespeare
Beyond her film and television career, Dench spoke passionately about her longstanding admiration for William Shakespeare.
She traced her interest in the playwright to the age of nine, when she watched her brother perform as King Duncan in Macbeth.
She remembered being captivated by his delivery of the line, “What bloody man is that?”
Dench also expressed admiration for Shakespeare’s sonnets, particularly their rhythm and ability to communicate human emotions.
“It’s the rhythm of your heart,” she said, describing what she finds compelling about the playwright’s work.
Although worsening eyesight has restricted her ability to act and read, Dench’s reflections reveal her continuing affection for Shakespeare, storytelling and the performing arts that have shaped her life.
For more entertainment and celebrity news, follow us on X.
