Dame Judi Dench Says Eye Condition Prevents Acting, Reading
The Oscar-winning actress revealed her age-related macular degeneration makes it difficult to recognize faces and perform.
Dame Judi Dench, the celebrated Oscar-winning actress, has stated that her vision impairment due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) now prevents her from acting on stage, appearing in films, or reading.
Dench was diagnosed with AMD in 2012. The condition has progressed to a point where recognizing faces has become exceedingly difficult, she shared in 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 stated.
The 91-year-old actress also described instances where her vision loss has led to awkward social encounters, such as approaching the wrong individuals before realizing her mistake. Despite these challenges, Dench continues to make public appearances and discusses her adaptation to life with deteriorating sight.
Dench's career spans over seven decades, earning her widespread acclaim across theater, television, and film. She received an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her role as Queen Elizabeth I in "Shakespeare in Love" in 1999. Internationally, she is recognized for her portrayal of "M," the head of James Bond's fictional British Secret Service agency, a role she first undertook in the 1995 film "GoldenEye."
Her sight loss has increasingly impacted her professional life, with previous accounts detailing struggles on film sets and difficulties in memorizing scripts. "The radio has always been important to me," Dench added, as a way to engage with content despite her vision impairment.
She recounted an anecdote about being invited to lunch by former MI6 chief Sir David Spedding, which she found to be an "exciting" experience. The situation led to a humorous moment when the assigned driver had trouble locating her home, causing a delay.
Reflecting on her enduring passion for Shakespeare, Dench recalled a childhood experience at age nine watching her brother perform as King Duncan in "Macbeth." She also expressed deep affection for Shakespeare's sonnets, attributing her love to their rhythmic quality and their ability to simply articulate human emotions.
![Dame Judi Dench as MI6 boss M in GoldenEye in 1995]( "Dench made her debut as "M" in GoldenEye in 1995")
