KEY POINT
- Judi Dench, 91, says deteriorating eyesight has prevented her from performing in films or stage productions.
- The Oscar-winning actress was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration in 2012.
- During an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she also revealed that she can no longer read.
Dame Judi Dench has revealed that worsening eyesight has brought her acting career to a standstill, leaving the 91 year old unable to perform on stage or appear in films.
Speaking to Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday, the Oscar winning actress described the extent of her vision difficulties, explaining that the condition now affects both her professional work and everyday activities.
“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.
Her remarks offer a stark update on a condition she has discussed publicly for more than a decade. Dench was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration in 2012, and her latest comments indicate that her eyesight has deteriorated to the point that continuing her previous work is no longer possible.
Dench has built a celebrated career across film and theatre, earning international recognition for her performances. Her inability to undertake either type of acting represents a significant change for an actress whose professional life has spanned both mediums.
Her latest disclosure also highlights how declining vision can affect more than performance itself. Reading is an essential part of preparing scripts, making her statement particularly revealing about the practical limitations she now faces.
Age related macular degeneration affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. The condition can make activities requiring detailed sight, including reading, increasingly difficult.
Dench’s interview with Barnett provides a direct account of her current limitations. She has said she can no longer act in films or plays and is unable to read.
The supplied report does not identify any new treatment, recovery plan or future performance commitment.
For now, Dench’s own words make clear how substantially her worsening eyesight has changed her relationship with acting.
