“I can’t see the television, I can’t see to read,” Dench admitted, responding with humor when McKellen teased her about greeting strangers she might mistake for acquaintances.
Washington, DC, November 30, 2025, BNN Web Staff — Renowned actress Judi Dench has opened up about the worsening effects of age-related macular degeneration, a condition that has significantly impaired her vision and pushed her to step away from performing, Deadline reported.
Dench — whose illustrious seven-decade career spans film, theatre, and television — has earned some of the industry’s highest honors, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, multiple BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and seven Olivier Awards.
In a recent conversation with ITV News, conducted alongside longtime friend and collaborator Ian McKellen, Dench candidly acknowledged the extent of her vision loss. “No, you don’t see me on camera, because I can’t see anymore,” she said. She added that while she can detect familiar outlines, she can no longer recognize faces clearly.
“I can’t see the television, I can’t see to read,” Dench admitted, responding with humor when McKellen teased her about greeting strangers she might mistake for acquaintances.
The celebrated actress, known for standout roles in Shakespeare in Love, Notes on a Scandal, and her iconic portrayal of M in the James Bond franchise, first revealed her diagnosis in 2012. Age-related macular degeneration affects the retina’s central region, leading to blurred or lost central vision.
Dench has hinted at retirement over the past two years, noting that memorizing lengthy roles has become increasingly challenging despite help from friends. Her most recent on-screen appearance was a cameo in Spirited, a 2022 Apple TV+ musical comedy starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell.
