Judi Dench, 90, Shares Heartbreaking Health Update And Why She's No Longer Appearing On Screen

Dame Judi Dench has revealed a difficult and emotional reason behind her absence from new films and TV roles.

Her career began back in 1957, when she first stepped onto the stage in Liverpool at just 22 years old. She played Ophelia in an Old Vic Company production of Hamlet, marking the start of what would become a legendary career.

Now 90, Dench has appeared in roughly 60 films, and many fans still remember her iconic portrayal of “M” in the James Bond series alongside Daniel Craig.

Across her decades in entertainment, she collected major awards, including an Academy Award for Shakespeare in Love and BAFTAs for Iris, Mrs Brown, and A Handful of Dust, along with many other nominations that reflect her long-standing impact.

But in recent years, Dench has stepped away from the spotlight after being diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, often referred to as AMD.

What is AMD?

WebMD explains that AMD is an eye condition that tends to worsen over time. The description on the site adds:

"AMD happens when the central portion of your retina, called the macula, wears down. The retina is the light-sensing nerve tissue at the back of your eye."

AMD typically affects people aged 50 and over Getty Stock Image

AMD is considered one of the leading causes of permanent vision loss for people over the age of 50, with about one in ten Americans affected.

Although it doesn’t cause full blindness, the condition can severely reduce someone’s ability to see clearly, making day-to-day tasks difficult.

When did Judi Dench get AMD?

Dench was diagnosed back in 2012. AMD can run in families, and her mother also experienced significant vision loss, which may have increased Dench’s risk.

Earlier this year, she shared that her eyesight has deteriorated to the point where she can no longer leave the house on her own.

Dame Judi Dench has been battling the condition for more than a decade Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for BFI

"Somebody will always be with me," she said during an episode of the Fearless podcast, before adding: "I have to now because I can't see and I will walk into something or fall over."

The James Bond legend continued the conversation by admitting: "I'm always nervous before going to something. I have no idea why. I'm not good at that at all. Not at all. Nor would I be now. And fortunately, I don't have to be now because I pretend to have no eyesight."

Dench's health update

More recently, Dench spoke with ITV News and opened up about why viewers haven’t seen her in new projects for quite some time.

"We don't often see you on camera these days," said the reporter.

Dench responded: "No you don't because I can't see anymore. I've got, you know, that thing."

Dench's AMD has left her unable to read or watch TV ITV News

Sitting beside her friend and fellow actor Ian McKellen, she explained that she can make out his silhouette and the scarf he was wearing, but not much else.

"I can't recognize anyone anymore," she added, followed by: "I can't see the television. I can't see to read."