Judi Dench Opens Up About Her Unseen Struggle With Vision Loss - BABEOfficial 2025

Judi Dench's Unwavering Honesty

Judi Dench, the beloved British actress, has never shied away from sharing her truth. As she nears her 91st birthday on December 9, Dench is opening up about a personal challenge that has profoundly affected her life – her deteriorating eyesight. Living with advanced macular degeneration since 2012, her condition has recently taken a turn for the worse, reshaping her day-to-day experiences and her approach to life.

During a heartfelt appearance on ITV on November 25 alongside her longtime friend Ian McKellen, Dench mixed humor with vulnerability as she discussed her vision issues. McKellen lightened the mood with a joke about her continued visibility on screen, to which Dench replied, "I can't see anymore." She shared that while she can discern shapes and outlines, recognizing faces is now beyond her capability.

"You don't [see me on camera anymore] because I can't see... I've got, you know, that thing," Dench remarked with her characteristic candor.

Living with Macular Degeneration

Dench's openness about her condition highlights the harsh realities of living with macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults with no cure in sight. Earlier this year on Trinny Woodall's Fearless podcast, she revealed the extent of her struggle. Dench confessed she can no longer safely walk alone, read, or even watch television, and she depends entirely on others for guidance at public events.

"Somebody will always be with me. I have to now because I can't see and I will walk into something or fall over," Dench shared, capturing the daily challenges she faces.

The Impact on Her Career

This health battle has inevitably impacted Dench's illustrious career. In May 2024, she admitted that taking on new projects is off the table, as reading scripts has become an impossible task. Even her once-reliable photographic memory can't compensate, leaving her reliant on friends to read lines aloud repeatedly. Yet, Dench remains a cherished figure in the industry, with her IMDb profile still listing her as the voice of Titania in the upcoming short "Forgeries of Jealousy."

Though the future of her participation in new projects remains uncertain, Dench's honesty, humor, and resilience continue to endear her to fans. Her openness about her condition not only sheds light on the realities of living with vision loss but also underscores why she remains a revered and inspiring presence in the world of entertainment.