Judi Dench: why she is not ready to stop acting despite vision loss

Dame Judi Dench has spoken candidly about the impact of worsening eyesight on her daily life, but the legendary actor has made it clear that she is not ready to step away from acting.

Dench has been living with age related macular degeneration for more than a decade, a condition that affects central vision and can make everyday tasks increasingly difficult. In recent comments, she explained that her sight has deteriorated to the point where she no longer feels safe going out alone, as she cannot always clearly see obstacles around her.

The condition has also affected the way she works. Dench has shared that reading scripts is now a challenge, which has required her to find new ways to prepare for roles and continue performing. Despite the limitations, she has expressed a strong desire to remain active in the industry for as long as she is able.

Her career spans more than sixty years across stage and screen. From her Oscar winning performance in Shakespeare in Love to her role as M in the James Bond franchise, Dench has built a body of work that has shaped British film and theatre. More recently, she has appeared in films such as Allelujah and Spirited.

Rather than seeing her condition as a signal to stop, Dench has framed it as an adjustment. Her determination to adapt and continue working has only strengthened her reputation as one of the most resilient and respected figures in the performing arts.