Dame Judi Dench has shared a heartbreaking health update, revealing she “can’t see anymore”.
The 90-year-old actress was diagnosed in 2012 with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — a condition that affects the retina and can lead to severe vision loss or blindness.
While Dench has enjoyed a celebrated career on screen, the James Bond star revealed her eyesight has now deteriorated so much she can no longer read scripts, watch television or recognise loved ones.
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In a new interview with ITV News, which aired on Sunrise on Thursday, Dench appeared alongside her close friend and colleague Sir Ian McKellen, reuniting 50 years after performing together in Macbeth.
When asked why she hasn’t appeared on camera in recent years, the Oscar-winning actress gave a heartbreakingly honest answer.
“It’s because I can’t see anymore,” Dench said.
McKellen, taken aback by her response, interjected to lighten the mood.
“But we can see you,” he said.
“Yes, and I can see your outline, and I know you so well, but I can’t recognise anybody now,” Dench replied.
“I can’t see the television, I can’t see to read.”
Judi Dench spoke to ITV news about her deteriorating eyesight. Credit: ITV NewsJudi Dench and Ian McKellen reunited to celebrate 50 years since their appearance in Macbeth. Credit: ITV News
Despite her health challenges, Dench’s humour remains intact. Earlier in the interview, the actress revealed she “adores” McKellen.
“I don’t know, she’s had so many men in her life,” McKellen replied, jokingly.
To which Dench quickly shot back: “Speak for yourself.”
Judi Dench at the world premiere of No Time To Die in 2021. The actress revealed she can longer attend red carpet events alone. Credit: AP
In January 2025, Dench appeared on Trinny Woodall’s podcast, describing the challenges of attending red carpet premieres and having to be accompanied to public events.
“Somebody will always be with me,” she said.
“I have to now because I can’t see and I will walk into something or fall over.”
Understanding AMD
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic and painless disease of the macula. The macula is an area at the very centre of the retina, at the back of the eye.
It’s the most common macular disease in Australia and is responsible for half of all blindness and severe vision loss in the country.
AMD causes progressive loss of central vision. It does, however, leave the peripheral vision intact.
This loss of central vision affects the ability to read, watch TV and recognise faces. But, by itself, AMD doesn’t lead to total vision loss (black blindness).
For some people, AMD advances very slowly and may not impact vision. For others, AMD may progress faster and lead to vision loss in one or both eyes.
The impact on Dench’s career
Dench’s recent health update comes two years after she admitted AMD had made reading and memorising film scripts increasingly difficult.
Judi Dench and Ian McKellen in Macbeth. Credit: ITV NewsJudi Dench as MI6 head M, in a scene from the James Bond film Skyfall. Credit: AP
While appearing on The Graham Norton Show in 2023, Dench said using her photographic memory had become “impossible” due to her deteriorating eyesight.
“I need to find a machine that not only teaches me my lines but also tells me where they appear on the page,” she said.
“I used to find it very easy to learn lines and remember them.”
Dench’s most recent appearances were a small role in the 2022 Christmas movie Spirited, followed by a more substantial part in the 2023 Alan Bennett adaptation Allelujah.
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