Dame Judi Dench unable to perform or read due to eye condition

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 07:51 · Archive

Dame Judi Dench, 91, says age-related macular degeneration diagnosed in 2012 has left her unable to perform on stage or film, or read.

Dame Judi Dench, 91, has revealed that age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diagnosed in 2012, has ended her ability to perform. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she said: '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.'

The condition affects the small part of the retina responsible for straight-ahead vision. Dench has had difficulty seeing clearly and recognising faces, which sometimes leads to awkward social encounters. She described occasionally approaching the wrong person and going to give them 'an almost hug' before realising her mistake.

Dench has enjoyed a career spanning more than seven decades, winning an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her role as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love in 1999. She became internationally recognised for playing M, James Bond's boss, debuting in the role in GoldenEye in 1995 as the first woman to play the character. Her last film cameos came in 2022, though she has made television appearances since, including this year's Tea With Judi Dench with Kenneth Branagh.

The Daily Mail reports that AMD damages the small part of the retina responsible for straight-ahead vision, leaving sufferers struggling to see clearly or recognise faces. Dench has previously spoken about the challenges the condition has created on film sets.

When asked about ageing, Dench said: 'There's nothing to say for it at all. [I] don't think about it too much.' She has continued to make public appearances while adapting to sight loss, and has said that radio remains 'important' to her as she adjusts to her condition.

How it is being reported

• Dame Judi Dench, 91, reveals she cannot act on stage or in films or read a book as she battles eye conditionThe Oscar-winning actress, 91, was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2012 - while she was still starring in major roles.Daily Mail · 22 Oct, 07:42
• Judi Dench says she is ‘unable to perform on stage or read’ due to eye conditionDame Judi Dench opened up about her degenerative eye condition (Picture: Getty Images) Dame Judi Dench has revealed she can no longer act on stage or screen, or even read due to a degenerative eye condition. The Oscar-winning actress, 91, has been living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD)…Metro · 22 Oct, 07:37
• Dame Judi Dench: 'I can't do a play, a film or read anymore'Dame Judi Dench tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme about how her eye condition has affected her life.BBC News · 22 Oct, 06:01

In this story: Dame Judi Dench · BBC Radio 4's Today programme · Shakespeare in Love · Queen Elizabeth I · James Bond · GoldenEye · Kenneth Branagh

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