Dame Judi Dench has shared a sad update about her health and explained why she is no longer working in films or television. The 90-year-old actress has been a familiar face for decades. She began her career in 1957 and went on to appear in more than 60 movies. Many people remember her as “M” in the James Bond films, or for her award-winning roles in Shakespeare in Love, Mrs Brown, and Iris.

In recent years, Dench has stepped away from acting because she is losing her eyesight. She has age-related macular degeneration, also called AMD. This condition affects the part of the eye that helps you see detail. It is common in people over 50. AMD does not cause full blindness, but it makes reading, watching TV, and recognizing faces very difficult.

Dench was diagnosed in 2012, and her vision has slowly become worse. Earlier this year, she shared that she can no longer go out alone. She explained that she might walk into something or fall, so she always needs someone with her.

During a recent ITV News interview, Dench spoke openly about why she is rarely on screen now. “I can’t see anymore,” she said. Sitting beside her friend Ian McKellen, she added that she could only see his outline and the color of his scarf.

“I can’t recognize anyone. I can’t see the television. I can’t see to read,” she said.

Her update offers a gentle reminder of how challenging vision loss can be, even for someone who has inspired audiences for so many years.