Judi Dench Says Deteriorating Eyesight Has Left Her Unable To Act Or Read

Judi Dench Says Deteriorating Eyesight Has Left Her Unable to Act or Read Oscar-winning British actress Dame Judi Dench has revealed that her worsening eyesight has left her unable to perform on stage, appear in films or read, as she continues to live with age-related macular degeneration. The 91-year-old actress made the disclosure during an interview with Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday, October 22, describing the extent to which the condition has affected her daily life and acting career.

“I can’t be on stage. I can’t do a play any more. I can’t do a film any more. I can’t read any more,” Dench said. Diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2012, Dench has experienced a gradual deterioration in her vision. The condition affects central vision, making activities such as reading and recognising faces increasingly difficult. She said her sight loss had also led to awkward encounters, explaining that she sometimes approaches strangers and nearly hugs them because she mistakes them for people she knows. Despite the challenges, Dench expressed a determination to adapt to her circumstances and continue living without dwelling excessively on the limitations imposed by her condition. “So you’ve got to adjust to all that, and make allowances for it and just get on and don’t think about it too much,” she said. Dench is one of Britain’s most celebrated performers, with a career spanning more than 70 years across theatre, television and film. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in the 1998 film Shakespeare in Love, receiving international acclaim for a performance that lasted only a few minutes.She also became widely known for playing M, the head of the British intelligence service MI6, in eight James Bond films, beginning with GoldenEye in 1995. Her distinguished career has earned her numerous honours, including an Oscar, a Tony Award and seven Olivier Awards for her work in theatre. Dench has previously spoken publicly about the difficulties her eyesight poses for learning scripts and working on film sets. In the past, she relied on friends and colleagues to read lines aloud to help her memorise them. Her latest comments indicate that the progression of the condition has further restricted her ability to continue performing. Despite her difficulties, Dench also spoke warmly about her enduring love for the works of William Shakespeare, particularly his sonnets. Her disclosure highlights the impact of progressive sight loss on everyday activities and the professional lives of people living with age-related macular degeneration.