Dame Judi Dench’s vision loss means she can no longer leave the house alone
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To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. Dame Judi Dench has given fans an update on her macular degeneration as she revealed that she can no longer leave her home alone.
![[Judi Dench at the 94th annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in the Hollywood]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_231559780-71f4.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The 90-year-old actress revealed in 2012 that she was dealing with macular degeneration and slowly losing her vision. While on Trinny Woodall’s Fearless podcast, Dame Judi gave an update on her condition, explaining why she needs more assistance. ‘Somebody will always be with me,’ she said. ‘I have to now because I can’t see and I will walk into something or fall over.’.
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dinendra Haria/LNP/REX/Shutterstock (14491779ab) Dame Judi Dench visits The Octavia Hill Garden by Blue Diamond with the National Trust at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The annual gardening exhibition runs from 21 May to 25 May 2024 at the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London. RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London, UK - 20 May 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_231559706-4f58.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
She added that she is always worried about going to events now: ‘I’m always nervous before going to something. ‘I have no idea why… I’m not good at being on my own at all, nor would I be now.’. The NHS website explains that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can blur your central vision.
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock (13452418i) Judi Dench 'Allelujah' Premiere, 66th BFI Film Festival, London, UK - 09 Oct 2022]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_231559694-ffa0.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
It does not cause total blindness. But it can make everyday activities like reading and recognising faces difficult. It usually first affects people in their 50s and 60s. She then revealed that one saving grace is that she no longer has to keep her condition a secret and pretend she is able to see.
‘And fortunately, I don’t have to now because I pretend to have no eyesight.’. Dame Judi has given updates on her eyesight over the years and in 2023 revealed she was no longer able to see sets. ‘I mean, I can’t see on a film set any more, and I can’t see to read, so I can’t see much. But, you know, you just deal with it. Get on.’.
