Judi Dench Shares Heartbreaking Truth About Her Sight and How She Can’t Recognize Anybody Anymore

Dame Judi Dench has revealed that her vision problems have worsened to the point where she “can’t recognize anybody anymore.” The 90-year-old actress spoke about her condition during an appearance on ITV on November 25.

Dench explained that she can no longer watch television or read. “You don’t [see me on camera anymore] because I can’t see,” she said, referring to her absence from recent screen work.

The actress is living with advanced age-related macular degeneration, a condition that damages the central part of the retina. This part of the eye is crucial for seeing faces, reading, driving, and noticing fine details.

Turning to fellow actor Ian McKellen, Dench added, “Yes, and I can see your outline and I know you so well. But I can’t recognize anybody anymore.” McKellen joked, “But do you go up to total strangers and say, ‘Lovely to see you again?’” to which Dench laughed and admitted she sometimes does.

@itvnews Judi tells ITV News she cannot attend events alone because of her age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which affects her eye sight. #itvnews #judidench #ianmckellen #shakepeare #amd ♬ original sound – itvnews

Dench first spoke publicly about her macular degeneration in 2012, describing one eye as “dry” and the other as “wet.” She has undergone treatments, including injections, to manage the condition. Despite these efforts, her eyesight has continued to decline. Reports in 2024 indicate that she is effectively retired from acting, and her vision issues make it difficult for her to go out alone. Still, she has expressed a desire to keep working as much as possible.

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