Dame Judi Dench has explained the unfortunate reason why she has stepped back from films and TV shows.
Dench began her illustrious acting career in 1957 in Liverpool, England, portraying Ophelia in an Old Vic Company production of Hamlet at just 22 years old.
Today, Dench, now 90, has appeared in approximately 60 films, including her iconic role as ‘M’ in the James Bond series alongside Daniel Craig.
She has also won an Academy Award for her performance in Shakespeare in Love and received BAFTAs for her roles in Iris, Mrs. Brown, and A Handful of Dust among numerous other nominations throughout her extensive career.
However, Dench has recently taken a step back from acting due to her diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
WebMD describes AMD as an eye disease that progressively worsens. The site explains: “AMD happens when the central portion of your retina, called the macula, wears down. The retina is the light-sensing nerve tissue at the back of your eye.”
AMD is said to be a predominant cause of permanent vision loss in individuals over 50, affecting about one in ten people in the United States.
While the condition does not result in complete blindness, it significantly impairs a person’s vision.
The actress received her diagnosis in 2012. With AMD being potentially hereditary, Dench’s mother also experienced vision loss.
Earlier this year, Dench revealed that she is unable to leave her home unaided due to her deteriorating eyesight.
“Somebody will always be with me,” she mentioned on the Fearless podcast, adding: “I have to now because I can’t see and I will walk into something or fall over.”
The James Bond star continued: “I’m always nervous before going to something. I have no idea why. I’m not good at that at all. Not at all. Nor would I be now. And fortunately, I don’t have to be now because I pretend to have no eyesight.”
Recently, Dench spoke with ITV News about her absence from recent television and film roles.
“We don’t often see you on camera these days,” said the reporter. Dench responded: “No you don’t because I can’t see anymore. I’ve got, you know, that thing.”
Sitting beside Ian McKellen, she informed her friend and fellow actor that she could ‘see his outline’ and the scarf he was wearing, but beyond that, her vision is extremely limited.
“I can’t recognize anyone anymore,” Dench explained. “I can’t see the television. I can’t see to read.”