Legendary actress Judi Dench has opened up about the severe impact of her deteriorating eyesight, a condition that has forced her to step back from her celebrated career on stage and screen. The Oscar and Tony Award winner revealed she can no longer see television or recognize people's faces due to age-related macular degeneration.
A Candid Conversation with an Old Friend
In a recent joint interview with her longtime friend and collaborator, Ian McKellen, Dench was frank about her vision loss. When a reporter from ITV News noted her absence from camera work, Dench responded, "No, you don't [see me on camera], because I can't see anymore." McKellen, with whom she starred in a 1979 production of Macbeth, lightened the mood by joking that they could see her.
Dench elaborated on her daily challenges, stating, "I can see your outline, and I know you so well, in your Macbeth scarf. But I can't recognise anybody now." She further shared the profound effect this has on her life, confessing, "I can't see the television, I can't see to read."
Living with Macular Degeneration
Judi Dench, whose illustrious career spans seven decades and includes an iconic portrayal of M in the James Bond films, has been living with a diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration since 2012. This degenerative eye condition affects the central part of the retina, leading to distortion or loss of central vision, which is crucial for tasks like reading and recognizing faces.
The condition has had a direct impact on her professional life. She hinted at retirement last year and previously explained the difficulty in taking on substantial roles. "It's difficult for me if I have any length of a part. I haven't yet found a way. Because I have so many friends who will teach me the script. But I have a photographic memory," she told Deadline.
A Storied Career and an Uncertain Future
Dench's career is decorated with numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Golden Globe Awards, four British Academy Television Awards, six British Academy Film Awards, and seven Olivier Awards. From her memorable role in Shakespeare in Love to her commanding presence in the Bond franchise, she is revered as one of the greatest actresses of her generation.
Her most recent credit was a cameo appearance in the 2022 Apple TV Christmas musical comedy Spirited, starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. As her eyesight continues to worsen, the future of her acting career remains uncertain, marking a poignant chapter for the beloved star.
