Dame Judi Dench was diagnosed with an age-related eye condition in 2012 that she says makes it difficult carrying out everyday tasks, causing her to stop driving and giving her difficulties reading scripts
Dame Judi Dench admits there are things she “can’t” do as she battles a degenerative health condition. The much-loved film star was diagnosed with Age-related Macular Degeneration in 2012.
The condition can result in permanent and swift central vision loss, representing the leading cause of sight deterioration in those aged over 50. And while it doesn’t usually lead to complete blindness, it can make every day tasks more difficult.
Judi, 91, says she can no longer read because of the condition. It has however spurred her passion for poetry.
Appearing on The RHS’s Roots podcast with Radio 2 star Jo Whiley, Judi said: “Because I can’t see now, I try and still learn. I could do the whole of Twelfth Night for you or the whole of the Dream for you now.
“If possible I want to learn more sonnets and there are so many of them of course. So I need to keep my hand in there.”
It prompted Jo, sitting opposite the star, to ask more about her vision. Judi replied: “I can’t see you.”
Earlier in the episode the James Bond star had asked questions about a flower behind her, admitting she could only recognise its colour. Jo asked: “You just asked if a magnolia was behind you so your eyesight is not good is it?”
Judi replied: “No, it’s terrible. I only know that because I can see something white and I have a beautiful one in the front garden, a white magnolia, that I’ve named after Ronnie Pickup.”
Judi has previously described the condition as a “crusher” admitting that her eyes had reached the advanced “wet” stage of AMD, meaning they were beyond medical intervention. When questioned about what she misses most, she remarked: “I miss seeing Clive Myrie doing Mastermind, but I can hear the questions.”
Her condition has meant Judi has had to give up many daily tasks including driving, embroidery and even going out alone. She however hasn’t had to retire from acting, and receives assistance from friends and colleagues who read her scripts aloud.
Judi then memorises them using her photographic recall. And despite being able to recite Shakespeare works from memory, she says she struggles with her short-term recall.
She confessed: “But I can’t remember what I’m doing tomorrow, I swear to you.”
During an interview on ITV News, she said people think she’s “got very grand” with her ability to recall Shakespeare. But Judi explained it was purely to facilitate her eyesight.
Judi had also previously discussed having to quit driving due to her condition. Describing the diagnosis as “one of the most traumatic moments,” she added: “It was absolutely appalling. But I just know I’ll kill somebody if I get behind the wheel of a car now.”
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