Dame Judi Dench Opens Up About Vision Loss
Dame Judi Dench has shared that her eyesight has worsened to the point she can no longer watch television or attend theatre performances. The 90-year-old actress has macular degeneration, a condition causing irreversible central vision loss and the leading reason for vision impairment in people over 50.
Struggles with Daily Life
"I can't see any more. When I go to the theatre, I can't see. Hopeless."
Speaking at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds, where she serves as patron, Dench explained how her condition has affected her routine. She also mentioned being unable to see her friend Dame Celia Imrie on BBC’s Celebrity Traitors, though she humorously noted,
"Somebody told me what was happening. I want to hear the dirt that went on."
Living with Macular Degeneration
Dench first disclosed her diagnosis in 2012. In a recent appearance on Trinny Woodall’s podcast Fearless, she described the increasing challenges of her condition.
"Somebody will always be with me. I have to now because I can’t see and I will walk into something or fall over."
"I’m always nervous before going to something. I have no idea why… I’m not good at being on my own at all, nor would I be now. And fortunately, I don’t have to now because I pretend to have no eyesight."
Resilience Amid Declining Sight
Despite her vision loss, Dame Judi remains active in the arts, continuing to engage with theatre and film communities even as she adapts to her worsening condition.
Author’s summary: Dame Judi Dench candidly discusses the realities of living with severe macular degeneration that has left her unable to enjoy TV or theatre but not without her trademark humor and spirit.