Acclaimed British actress Judi Dench, known for her roles in "Shakespeare in Love" and the James Bond franchise, says her eye condition has prevented her from working.
"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," Dench, who has age-related macular degeneration, told BBC Radio 4.
The eye disease mostly affects people over 50 and makes it difficult for them to see ahead of them, according to Cleveland Clinic. Dench, 91, was reportedly diagnosed in 2012. People with the condition do not suffer from complete blindness, as the medical center noted, and their peripheral vision is intact.
During the interview with the BBC, Dench shared that she had experiences where she at times hugs the wrong individuals.
'Shock to the system'
Dench has been open about her struggles with age-related macular degeneration throughout the years.
In 2023, the "Skyfall" star said in an interview with The Mirror that she had to stop driving due to her worsening eyesight. She also spoke about how she navigated film sets with the condition.
"It's difficult for me if I have any length of a part. I haven't yet found a way," she told the outlet at the time. "Because I have so many friends who will teach me the script. But I have a photographic memory."
According to the report, she called her experience "the most terrible shock to the system," adding, "it's terrible to be so dependent on people."
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judi Dench gets real about vision loss disease: 'I can't do a film'
