🔗 Share this article Judi Dench Shares Memory Struggles But Holds Onto The Bard's Lines. The legendary actress Judi Dench has spoken candidly about the effects of aging on her eyesight and memory, stating she frequently finds it hard to recall upcoming appointments – but can easily recall long sections of Shakespearean text. "I have no memory of what I'm doing tomorrow, I promise you," she stated to the Radio Times. Her team confirmed that such reminders are at times necessary. She further mentioned that her degenerative eye condition now means faces to appear "in a fog" even up close. A Condition That 'Crushes' "It's a crusher," Dench noted, adding that it means she can no longer watching television. "I miss seeing Clive Myrie presenting Mastermind," she said, "but I can still hear the questions." The actress, celebrating 91 this week, is fronting a new documentary exploring her deep connection with the works of Shakespeare. She will also be seen being interviewed by Kenneth Branagh in a separate show airing over the Christmas holidays. On Friends and Exoneration The star also discussed remaining in touch with fellow actor Kevin Spacey, who was found not guilty of sexual assault charges in 2023. "Kevin was cleared," Dench affirmed, "and I hear from Kevin, we text." Earlier this year, Dench disclosed she now requires full-time assistance in public to avoid tripping due to her vision problems. She first revealed age-related macular degeneration in 2012, a progressive disease that is the leading cause of sight loss in the UK. Coping with New Realities She has credited the condition with her de facto retirement from acting. "I can no longer see properly on set," she said in 2023, and continued: "And I can't see to read. But you just cope." "It's challenging if I have any length of a part. I haven't yet found a way. Since I have many companions who will help me learn the script." Her last screen credit was a brief part in the 2022 holiday film Spirited; prior to that she had a larger role in Allelujah. That year also brought her her eighth Oscar nomination for Belfast. A Continued Public Presence She continues to appear often at events, however, such as at charity events like one last month with Ian McKellen. This past spring, she participated in a live sculpture for charity. She noted she could not see the finished sculpture, but would feel it "if they let me."