Judi Dench Has Macular Degeneration

Posted on February 20th, 2012, by iMinerva

British actress Dame Judi Dench has been diagnosed with macular degeneration.  According to news reports, the popular actor struggles to see people and objects directly in front of her and requires that scripts are read to her in order to memorize her lines.

In spite of her failing vision, Ms. Dench says she plans to continue acting.  She was quoted in USA Today saying, “As long as there is a possibility of working, I’m not going to retire because if I retire nothing will work anymore and it’s hard enough as it is.”  She is currently filming the James Bond thriller Skyfall  in which she plays intelligence boss M, and will soon be seen in the upcoming film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel scheduled for release this spring.

Ms. Dench was recognized as the  “Minerva of the Month,“ last  December  as she celebrated her 77th birthday.  We all wish her well and hope she continues to grace our TV and movie screens for many years to come.