Dame Judi Dench, one of Britain’s most celebrated actresses, has shared a poignant update on her health, explaining the sad reason behind her recent step back from film and television. The 90-year-old icon, known for her Oscar-winning role in “Shakespeare in Love” and as ‘M’ in the James Bond franchise, revealed that her declining eyesight has made it impossible for her to continue acting on screen.
The cause is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition she was diagnosed with over a decade ago. AMD affects the central part of the retina and is a leading cause of vision loss in people over 50. While it doesn’t cause complete blindness, it severely impairs detailed vision. In a recent interview with ITV News, Dench was asked why we don’t see her on camera much these days. Her reply was simple and heartbreaking: “No you don’t because I can’t see anymore.”
She elaborated on the daily challenges, telling her friend and fellow actor Ian McKellen, who was seated beside her, that she could only see his outline and the scarf he was wearing. “I can’t recognize anyone anymore,” she confessed. “I can’t see the television. I can’t see to read.” This follows her earlier comments on a podcast, where she shared that she can no longer leave the house alone and requires constant assistance to avoid walking into things or falling.
With a career spanning nearly seven decades and encompassing around 60 films, Dench’s absence marks the end of an era for cinema. Her candid admission has resonated with fans and those affected by AMD, highlighting the personal struggle behind her public departure from the craft that made her a household name.
