Dame Judi Dench has opened up about her declining health as she admitted that she can no longer see the TV due to her deteriorating eyesight
Dame Judi Dench has spoken candidly about her deteriorating eyesight, describing the health struggle as a “crusher”. The beloved actress discussed her condition openly during a Radio Times interview, just hours before celebrating her 91st birthday on Tuesday.
In a heartfelt revelation, she confessed that her vision has been deteriorating for several years and she’s now unable to watch television.
The celebrated performer received an Age-related Macular Degeneration diagnosis in 2012, a condition that can result in permanent and swift central vision loss, representing the leading cause of sight deterioration in those aged over 50.
Whilst the illness doesn’t lead to complete blindness, it can make routine daily activities considerably challenging. “It’s a crusher,” Judi acknowledged, after disclosing that both her eyes are now beyond medical intervention as they’ve reached the advanced “wet” phase of AMD.
When questioned about what she misses most, she remarked: “I miss seeing Clive Myrie doing Mastermind, but I can hear the questions.”
The actress had to give up a lot of daily tasks such as driving, embroidery and even going out alone. Nevertheless, Judi hasn’t retired from acting, continuing to receive assistance from friends and colleagues who read her scripts aloud, which she then memorises using her exceptional photographic recall, reports the Express.
Despite being able to recite endless Shakespeare works from memory, she disclosed that her short-term recall is poor. “But I can’t remember what I’m doing tomorrow, I swear to you,” she confessed.
During one moment in the interview, Judi requested that the interviewer verify details with her assistants, who subsequently confirmed they help coordinate virtually every element of her daily routine.
It comes as she previously explained how some people perceive her as snobbish because she doesn’t greet them, when, in reality, she simply cannot make them out.
She told ITV News: “People think, ‘Oh, get her. She’s got very grand.’ It’s because I can’t see!” When Sir Ian asked whether she ever approaches “complete strangers” saying “lovely to see you again,” Dame Judi chuckled before admitting this occurs “sometimes”.
Despite this, the acclaimed actress remains incredibly active, as she is set to appear in a Christmas television advert for disaster relief charity ShelterBox featuring her handing over a red lacy thong as a present to her friend and fellow actress Dame Imelda Staunton.
She’s also reuniting with Sir Ian, her co-star from what many regard as the greatest ever production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth fifty years ago, to support a new initiative designed to bring the Bard’s work to younger generations.
Source: Mirror
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