Dame Judi Dench Opens Up About Health Struggles Due to Vision Loss
Dame Judi Dench, the 90-year-old Oscar-winning actress, has shared an update on her health, revealing that her deteriorating eyesight now requires her to have someone accompany her whenever she leaves the house.
Speaking on Trinny Woodall’s Fearless podcast, Dench discussed how her condition, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), has significantly affected her daily life. “Someone will always be with me,” she explained, adding that she has become prone to accidents due to her limited vision, such as walking into objects or falling.
AMD, which is the leading cause of vision loss in the UK, affects over 700,000 people. It damages the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp, central vision, making it difficult to read or recognize faces. Although it doesn’t cause total blindness, it greatly limits everyday activities.
Dench admitted to feeling nervous when leaving her house or attending events, saying, “I’m always nervous before going to something. I have no idea why. I’m not good at that at all.” She added that she often pretends to have no eyesight to avoid drawing attention to her condition.
The iconic actress, famous for playing M in nine James Bond films, also reflected on how her vision loss has changed her professional life. “I can’t see on a film set anymore. I can’t read,” she shared with The Mirror’s Notebook magazine. “But you just deal with it and get on.”
Despite the difficulties, Dench remains committed to continuing her career. “I want to work as much as I can,” she said, showing her determination to keep performing despite her health challenges.
