Veteran actress Judi Dench has revealed that her deteriorating eyesight has left her unable to act on stage, make films or even read. The 91-year-old Oscar winner opened up about the impact of age-related macular degeneration during an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday, admitting that her condition has significantly affected her daily life.“I can’t be on stage. I can’t do a play any more. I can’t do a film any more. I can’t read any more,” Dench said, offering a candid account of how her eyesight has deteriorated over the years.
Judi Dench says she can no longer recognise faces
During the conversation with host Emma Barnett, Dench revealed that she could not see the presenter’s face at all. She also spoke about the difficulties she faces when trying to recognise people, admitting that she sometimes approaches strangers by mistake.“I go up to lots of the wrong people and give them an almost hug and say, ‘Oh sorry, didn’t realize,’” she said.The Shakespeare in Love star also shared how her deteriorating vision has affected her ability to appreciate nature. Recalling the beauty of the bluebells that people had admired during the summer, Dench said she was unable to see them.“They said this summer was absolutely sensational with bluebells; I couldn’t see one,” she said.Despite the challenges, Dench continues to rely on her memories of the world around her. “But I know what my trees look like, and part of it is in my memory and part of it is about hopefully what I can make out,” she added.
Judi Dench was diagnosed with macular degeneration in 2012
Dench has been living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) since being diagnosed with the condition in 2012. AMD affects central vision and can make everyday activities such as reading and recognising faces increasingly difficult.In July 2023, the veteran actress spoke about the emotional toll of the condition in an interview with the Mirror’s Notebook magazine, describing it as a deeply unsettling experience.“It’s the most terrible shock to the system,” she said, adding, “It’s terrible to be so dependent on people.”During an ITV appearance in November 2025, Dench also explained why she could no longer attend events alone. The actress said she risked walking into objects if she did not have someone accompanying her, highlighting how the condition had affected her independence.
Judi Dench had earlier dismissed retirement rumours
Despite the challenges posed by her eyesight, Dench has previously made it clear that she does not want to be written off because of her age. Earlier this month, she pushed back against questions about retirement in an interview with The Times published on October 9.“[While aging], you have to contend with people asking, ‘When are you going to retire?’ or, ‘Isn’t it about time you put your feet up?’ No, it bloody well isn’t,” she said.Dench also expressed her desire to banish words such as “retire”, “vintage” and “old”, making it clear that she does not want ageing to define how she lives her life.“I want to be like Newton Blick, who died in his dressing room after a performance. I want to be one of those women who throw themselves out of planes when they’re 100,” she said.Her latest remarks, however, underline the challenges she faces as her eyesight continues to deteriorate, even as she remains determined not to let age dictate her outlook on life.The condition also affected Dench’s family, as her mother, Eleanora Olave Dench, suffered from age-related macular degeneration.
