Dame Judi Dench Says Eye Condition Means She Can No Longer Act Or Read

Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench says her eye condition has left her unable to perform on stage, do films, or read anymore. Dench revealed the impact of her vision loss during an interview with Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. She was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration in 2012, a condition that makes it very hard for her to recognise faces and leads to awkward moments like accidentally trying to hug strangers.

Career And Memories

Now 91 years old, Dench spoke to the BBC after releasing her memoir, titled Is it too late to make a run for it?, which she wrote with theatre director Brendan O'Dea. During the interview, she shared memories of her career spanning over seven decades, including meeting former MI6 chief Sir David Spedding and American actor Sidney Poitier. She also recalled how watching her brother play King Duncan in Macbeth when she was nine sparked her lifelong love for Shakespeare.

Context

Age-related macular degeneration is a common medical condition that gradually blurs central vision, often affecting older adults and making detailed tasks like reading or recognizing faces difficult. Dame Judi Dench is widely known for her celebrated stage and screen career, including winning an Academy Award and playing M in the James Bond film series.