London, UK – A Hollywood legend has been forced to hang up her career: Dame Judi Dench‘s eye condition has pushed her to give up acting, as performing in front of the camera has become impossible.
As early as 2012, the Oscar‑winning star was diagnosed with age‑related macular degeneration.
On Thursday, Dench spoke about the incurable eye disease – which makes it difficult for her to recognize faces – on the BBC radio program Today.
Since then, her visual impairment has already led to some awkward encounters. She sometimes walks up to the wrong people and almost embraces them before she realizes her mistake.
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The 91‑year‑old now has to accept that she can no longer continue her acting career under these circumstances.
“I can’t be on stage, I can’t do a play anymore, I can’t do a film anymore, I can’t read anymore,” she said.
Even before, Dench – who became an icon largely for her portrayal of M in the James Bond series – had spoken about having trouble seeing on set and difficulty memorizing scripts.
Dench looks back on a career spanning more than seven decades in film, TV, and theater, and is regarded as one of the most esteemed actors in the UK.
Despite her illness, she continues to appear in public and speaks openly about how she is adapting to life with diminishing eyesight.
